Colts issue statement in support of Peyton Manning amidst HGH allegations

Last night, the Huffington Post wrote about a documentary by Al Jazeera in which quarterback Peyton Manning is accused of using human growth hormone in 2011.

That was during Manning's time with the Colts as he tried to recover from a neck injury that required him to miss the entire season and undergo four surgeries.  Manning has since returned to add to his Hall of Fame resume with the Broncos, but he will forever be remembered for his 14 years in Indianapolis and will go down as the best player to wear the horseshoe in Indy.  Considering that, plus the fact that Manning is accused of using HGH while with the Colts, the team opted to release a statement today in strong support of number 18:

"We've been made aware of the recent Al Jazeera report concerning Peyton Manning and find it utterly ridiculous.  We are thoroughly familiar with Peyton's tireless work habits, his medical history, and, most importantly, his integrity. Peyton played the game in Indianapolis for 14 years the right way. He never took any shortcuts and it would be absurd to suggest he would have taken prohibited performance enhancing drugs. We also note that the "source" of this allegation has since recanted his story. The entire Indianapolis Colts organization and the Irsay family hope this crude effort to besmirch Peyton's reputation will not be permitted to tarnish the legacy of a great Colt."

The Colts didn't have to issue a statement, but in addition to Manning's and the Broncos' statements released, the Colts decided to add to it.  There are a number of people coming out in support of Manning rather than this drug dealer - who has since recanted and said he made it up.

So basically, what you have is someone caught on a hidden camera saying that drugs were shipped to Manning under his wife's name (Ashley Manning) in 2011, though that guy has since said he made it up.  That's what the entire report is based on, and Manning has come out very strongly against the allegations.  The Broncos and the Colts have also come out very strongly in Manning's corner in support of him.