The NFL has said it will suspend Steelers veteran linebacker James Harrison if he doesn’t give in and agree to an interview with NFL investigators regarding accusations of PED use.
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The whole thing sets a horrendous precedent in the league: anything anyone says about any player in the NFL, no matter who or what the circumstances, will be taken and investigated as fact.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Green Bay Packers linebackers Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews and former Packers defensive linemen Mike Neal will be suspended if they don’t talk to the NFL by August 25, the league said.
The players’ punishment would end at the discretion of Commissioner Roger Goodell once interviews are completed, according to the letter obtained by The Associated Press. “They’ll do what they have to do”, said Harrison about the NFL.
When asked for a reason to explain his refusal, he bluntly responded, “I’m not going to answer questions for every little thing that some Tom, Dick and Harry comes up with”.
Harrison spoke Tuesday, a day after the NFL’s threat became public. “They’re going to suspend me and put me under investigation just because somebody said it?”
So Harrison is prepared to let the situation play itself out as the deadline approaches. His suspension begins next month. It looks bad for the league, especially after Peyton got cleared and this thing has been, there’s been some holes shot at it, but I’m confident those guys have nothing to hide and they will work something out. He extended his invitation again on Tuesday.
“I think at some point someone has to understand that there are players involved, players livelihoods involved”, Parise said. Come to my house. “Bring Roger (Goodell) with you”.
“I won’t advise James of anything”, said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
“This has nothing to do with us”, Tomlin said. ESPN reports the league has been attempting to talk to the players for several months but to no avail. In 2015, it was Deflategate, which pitted numerous players against Goodell as he “overstepped his boundaries” in punishing New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
Harrison, a 14-year veteran, is a longtime leader of the Steelers.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t very happy the NFL is trying to strong-arm his teammates into speaking with league investigators.
General Manager Ted Thompson held his weekly news conference and opened it up by addressing the case.
“We’re going to support our players”, Thompson said. Youd rather have those players than not.
JETS: Running back Matt Forte says he’ll “definitely” be ready to play in the regular-season opener against Cincinnati despite a hamstring injury that has prevented him from fully practicing during training camp.
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The source for that report later said he had lied to the network about his claims. The players have refused to be interviewed without being presented with what they’ve called credible evidence. Most recently, the NFLPA has attempted to prevent the interviews by submitting for each player a half-page statement, which you advised should be treated as a sworn statement given in a legal proceeding, and which you contend should fulfill the players’ acknowledged obligation to cooperate with the investigation.
