Report: Peyton Manning was given HGH in 2011

Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts on the sidelines during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chiefs won 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts on the sidelines during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chiefs won 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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An explosive new report has linked Peyton Manning and other high profile athletes to steroid use. 

Perhaps the greatest NFL quarterback in the last decade is on the defense after a new report has surfaced that connects him with HGH use. Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning may be sitting out at the moment, but he’s very much on the field in a battle against allegations of steroid use back in 2011.

According to a new special report from Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit, who talked with pharmacist Charlie Sly, Manning and his wife were given HGH back in 2011 from an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic.

"“All the time we would be sending Ashley Manning drugs,” Sly says in the video. “Like growth hormone, all the time, everywhere, Florida. And it would never be under Peyton’s name, it would always be under her name.”"

Now, this is where it gets tricky — like always. The validity of the report has already been called into question by Manning’s reps, who say the claims are outrageous and false. There’s also the fact that this guy Sly that has been telling the stories might not be telling the truth.

There needs to be more evidence here to fully make the connection between Peyton Manning and HGH use, but we’re still in an era where simply being linked is just as bad. We’ve matured from the witch hunt phase we were in just a few years ago, but we’re not that far removed.

To be fair to Manning, this is the first time something like this has ever come up in his career. Moreover, the allegations stem back to 2011 and don’t seem to be linked anywhere else throughout his career. It’s really all speculative at this point, but someone is putting their name to this report — the question is how valid is it all?

All it takes is an allegation to potentially have your legacy tainted, and Manning will have to prove his innocence — which he seems determined to do. To be responsible people, we can’t believe anything we hear until there is hard evidence, and if there is some then this could get very messy.

[H/T: HuffPost]