News organization Al Jazeera created a mini-scandal when they reported on HGH (human growth hormone) deliveries to the home of professional quarterback for the Super Bowl bound Denver Broncos Peyton Manning.  This report was furiously denied by the Manning camp.

Now some more unsavory details regarding this case, and Mr. Manning and his people’s actions following becoming aware of the investigation are coming to light, as well as the revelation that, yes indeed, the HGH was sent to his house after all:

Private Eyes Spook Parents of Manning HGH Accuser in 911 Call; Broncos QB Admits Drugs Sent to House

First thing’s first: The revelation the HGH was sent to the Manning household after all was explained as it being for Ashley Manning, Peyton Manning’s wife, and not for her athlete husband.  No further details were provided as the Manning’s cited Ashley Manning’s medical privacy.

While Mrs. Manning certainly has every right to her privacy, the HGH medication being sent to the Peyton household, even if it was sent under her name, raises all kinds of questions.

Let’s face it, many athletes use whatever means they can to gain that “extra edge”.  It is the difference between making it and being banished to the sidelines…or never being part of the game itself.  Further, this story cannot be viewed as a stand-alone instance as it inevitably becomes part of the sports doping continuum.  For years now there have been stories regarding star athletes who were reported to have doped.  These stories were inevitably followed by stern, finger-wagging denials by the athletes before the weight of the evidence against them was too much to deny and the athletes finally admitted what they did.

We’ve effectively gone through these very same steps with Mr. Manning, the only difference being that his camp is admitting the drugs were sent to his house but were for his wife rather than for Peyton.  Sadly, this explanation sounds like a variation of the old “the dog ate my homework” excuse.

But putting that aside, we get to something even sleazier: It is very troubling to hear that Manning’s people sent these two bruisers to the home of the parents of the man who was taped making the accusations against Peyton Manning.  What, other than intimidation, was the reason for sending these people there?  Even if we are to assume Peyton Manning is totally innocent and these charges are totally outrageous, what was the purpose of sending these people to that man’s parent’s home?  This cowardly, bullying action reflects very poorly on Mr. Manning and the people he employs.

For years Peyton Manning has had a sterling reputation among NFL athletes.  To many, he’s a star athlete, a family man, and an all around good guy.  As of this day, he’s two days away from playing in the Super Bowl and, if other reports are to be believed, this will be his very last professional football game.  Should his team win this Super Bowl, it would make for a truly legendary exit for one of the league’s superstars.

And yet this story lingers just behind the scenes and, thanks to these new revelations, soils what could be a crowning ending to a magnificent career.

I’ll grant you the timing of the release of this report is also suspicious and feels like it was timed for maximum exposure.  Having said that, it is difficult to excuse or ignore the alarming accusations within it.