NFL clears Peyton Manning after 7-month HGH investigation

The NFL has cleared Peyton Manning after a seven-month investigation found no credible evidence he used human growth hormone or violated the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, the league said Monday.

Manning and his wife, Ashley, “were fully cooperative with the investigation and provided both interviews and access to all records sought by the investigators,” the league said in a statement.

“Initiated in January, the investigation was led by the NFL's security and legal teams with support from expert consultants and other professionals. The investigation involved witness interviews, a review of relevant records and other materials, online research, and laboratory analysis and review.”

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The investigation stemmed from an Al-Jazeera America report, which secretly recorded a former anti-aging clinic intern named Charlie Sly making allegations against a variety of professional athletes.

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The league continues to investigate four other NFL players named in the report: Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and free agent linebacker Mike Neal.

Last week, the league rejected the NFL Players Association’s assertion that affidavits submitted by those players constituted cooperation. Neal’s interview is expected to be conducted this week, with others to follow.

“As a former player, Peyton Manning is free to do whatever he believes is in his best interest,” the NFL Players Association said in a statement. “The Union knows that he understands the rights of players under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and would never do anything to hurt or undermine active players in support of those rights.”

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