James Harrison Denies PED Allegations in Affidavit

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison denied using performance-enhancing drugs in a sworn affidavit, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Harrison, 38, appeared in 15 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, notching 40 tackles, 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. He's accumulated 76.5 sacks in his 13-year career. 

But he was accused of receiving Delta-2, a PED, in a December Al-Jazeera America report by Charlie Sly, who has since recanted his story. Peyton Manning was also implicated in the report.

The NFL requested an interview with Harrison, Manning, Green Bay Packers linebackers Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews and free agent Mike Neal, according to ESPN. Harrison had very specific demands for that meeting, as he posted on Instagram:

The NFL Players Association also responded to those interview requests in that ESPN report:

"

The NFL has chosen to initiate an investigation of these players based upon now-recanted statements that appeared in an Al Jazeera report. The NFLPA requested from the NFL any additional evidence supporting an investigation of the players; the NFL did not provide any such evidence, nor did they inform the NFLPA or the players that any such evidence exists.

"

The NFL and NFLPA have been battling over the NFL's right to compel players to be interviewed over PED allegations. Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, "NFLPA associate general counsel Heather McPhee explains that neither the CBA nor the PED policy provide that a player 'must agree to an in-person interview based upon random, baseless verbal remarks or face discipline for a failure to cooperate with a league investigation.'"

Battling with the NFL is nothing new for Harrison. The veteran famously ripped NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in 2011 after he was fined over $100,000 for illegal hits. 

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