Whether you find Al-Jazeera reputable as a news source or not is irrelevant. Personally, I do not tend to pay mind to any story run by an organization who essentially no one in the western hemisphere heard of prior to the war in Afghanistan, and has a history of anti-American bias. Many North American cable systems refused to carry Al-Jazeera America, when the cable network launched on 20 August 2013. The network ceased operations in the United States back on 12 April, citing persistently low ratings…big surprise, right?!
The report, filed 27 December 2015, named NFL players Harrison, now-retired quarterback Peyton Manning, Green Bay Packers' linebacker Clay Matthews III, and baseball players Ryan Howard and Ryan Zimmerman as potential users of PEDs. The PED’s which included human growth hormone (HGH) were provided via the Guyer Anti-Aging Clinic in Indianapolis. The report indicates the Guyer Clinic provided supplements deemed as banned by the NFL and MLB to the players as far back as 2011. While Charles Sly, a pharmacist who worked at the Guyer Clinic later redacted his statement, the NFL has not forgotten about the report in the slightest.
Harrison agreed to meet with NFL Officials, namely Goodell, whom he referred to back in 2011 as a “dictator,” and a “puppet,” in addition to adding “crook” into the mix on Thursday. Harrison indicated he would have his meeting on August 30. That’s all fine and dandy, considering the league set an August 25 deadline to meet with the players named in the report, or face disciplinary action.
Harrison, 38, has a history of on-field foul play, and letting his mouth make matters worse.
After racking up $120,000 in fines back in 2010, Harrison went from intense competitor to just intensely stupid. He knocked out Cleveland Browns receivers Josh Cribbs and Mohammed Massaquoi in the same game; and proceeded to hit quarterbacks Drew Brees, Jason Campbell, and Ryan Fitzpatrick illegally in the weeks that followed.
Last year, the “Father of the Year” gave back his son’s participation trophies. His excuse was:
“..Cause sometimes your best is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better...not cry and whine until somebody gives you something to shut u up and keep you happy.” (Quote courtesy of Harrison's Twitter account.)
I wonder what his kids think of daddy’s alleged secret of gaining an unfair advantage would fly. You would think if trying to defy the Al-Jazeera report, Harrison would be screaming from the lighting fixtures of Heinz Field to set up a meeting as soon as Goodell opened his mouth.
We all know at 38 that Harrison’s impact to the Steelers defense is little more than moral support. Pittsburgh’s defense has become very old very quickly, so a flood of any abled body will be their 2016 calling card. The Steelers have one of the easier schedules in the NFL this season, but when two of those games are against another retooled Browns, any playoff hopes may be a bigger question mark than the idea of Harrison believing the majority of what comes out of his own mouth.
Harrison is only signed through the end of this season, which likely will be his last. What team would want to take a chance on a non-QB pushing 40, and was linked to a potential HGH scandal.
From one Jim to another, don't go away mad...just go away....for good this time.
-JC24
NOTE: I want to wish my brother, Frank, a very happy birthday this weekend. Enjoy it, brah! See you tonight for Cards Against Humanity with the crew.