National Football League

Steelers LB James Harrison reveals why he's resisting the NFL's PED interview

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:27 p.m. ET

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Andrew Lynch

Staring down a potential suspension for failure to cooperate with an NFL PED investigation, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison told reporters on Tuesday that his reluctance is about something much bigger than this one allegation.

Harrison was among those professional athletes reportedly linked to banned substances, including human growth hormone, in a December report by Al-Jazeera America that spurred the NFL to investigate the alleged PED use. But Harrison — along with Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, and Mike Neal — still hasn't sat down for an interview with the league.

Harrison's reason is simple: If the NFL has the right to investigate him for these allegations, what stops the league from digging into his life in the face of future accusations?

Via ESPN.com:

Back in June, Harrison said that he would meet with league investigators under three conditions: The interview has to be at his house; Harrison gets to pick the date of the interview; and Roger Goodell must be physically present for the conversation. On Tuesday, Harrison doubled down on that stance:

Peyton Manning was also one of the players included in the Al-Jazeera America report, but the league has already cleared the future Hall of Famer of any wrongdoing. The NFL has reportedly given Harrison and his fellow players until Aug. 25 to provide their interviews, and it sounds like the Steelers LB plans to comply — eventually.

It was an eventful 24 hours for Harrison, who learned of the potential suspension shortly before being surprised by a random drug test.

What a funny coincidence. A total, complete coincidence.

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