An “investigative report” released yesterday by Al Jazeera alleged that Denver quarterback Peyton Manning used a human growth hormone in 2011.
Source for Al Jazeera story naming Peyton Manning as a recipient of an HGH supply in 2011 recants to @mortreport: https://t.co/jyT4xuSagD
— ESPN (@espn) December 27, 2015
Manning issued a strong statement repudiating the report:
Personal statement from Peyton Manning released by the Broncos … pic.twitter.com/O5pJuwzWGF
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 27, 2015
The Colts, for whom Manning played in 2011, also released a statement.
Statement from the #Colts regarding Peyton Manning: pic.twitter.com/NmbJslqTZU
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) December 27, 2015
Manning has also retained Ari Fleischer to deal with the public relations aspects of this story.
Peyton Manning retained the services of former WH Press secretary Ari Fleischer, who now does crisis management. I spoke to him last night
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2015
Peyton Manning spokesman Ari Fleischer told me Manning has never used HGH, never failed any league drug tests & this won't affect his status
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2015
Of course, this is Al Jazeera we’re talking about here. It’s not as if they’ve never had to retract a story.
Al Jazeera's fortunate that Peyton Manning would be considered a public figure under the Sullivan standard.
— IWantNothingHat (@Popehat) December 27, 2015
Obviously haven't seen the Al Jazeera report on Peyton Manning, but idea he'd have HGH delivered to his wife as a cover seems pretty stupid
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) December 27, 2015
Congrats to Peyton Manning on his acquisition of Al Jazeera.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) December 27, 2015
I don't know what is more incongruous: Peyton Manning accused of cheating or Al Jazeera breaking the story? #NFL https://t.co/V5xn8XYVZz
— Marcos Breton (@MarcosBreton) December 27, 2015
How different would the reaction to this Peyton Manning report be if it came from ESPN or HBO instead of Al Jazeera?
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 27, 2015
It would be a significantly different reaction.
Related:
‘Really Vox’d this one up’: Al Jazeera forced to retract false story
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