And don’t fool yourself into thinking that only veterans – 34-year old, "old guys" – are using these drugs. What benefits a 34-year old will really benefit a 24-year old. Don’t be shocked and don’t put your head in the sand. Young guys and old guys are using these drugs. Young guys want to make the big bucks too, don’t they?
One of the more stunning elements of this story is that an athlete of Harrison’s stature would expose himself to the risk associated with buying HGH – or any drug – via the Internet. Not only is there the risk of getting caught, there is the risk of getting scammed or getting a substance that’s not really HGH. HGH isn't aspirin, it messes with the endocrine system.
This isn’t the time to moralize about the evils of using HGH or other PEDs. There needs to be a discussion that deals with what NFL players and other professional athletes are willing to do in order to get an edge and make a living. Forget about sermonizing about the supposed dangers of these drugs, as pro football players face dangers way more immediate than the risk factors associated with taking PEDs. Going on a doctor-administered cycle of HGH is less dangerous than running down the field on kick-off team or smashing head first into a 240-pound running back who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.
At some point the discussion will need to include the position that athletes - NFL players in particular - may need hormone supplementation to counteract the very real damages that are associated with playing professional football. I'm not saying that HGH should be legalized or administered to players, but some thought needs to be given to the concept that NFL players require extra-ordinary measures be taken to ensure their health.
Alas, this is another issue for another time. For the short term, if the reports about an NFL assistant coach being a focus of this investigation are accurate you can be sure that there will be more developments to come in the near future. This story continues to roll along.
Article comments
1 - Jeffrey Henderson
How about freedom to medicate?? I own my body, and I can put whatever I want in my body.
Anyone who says you can't is making a claim of ownership over your body, plain and simple.
So decide, are we free people who own are bodies or does someone else own us as slaves?
There's no gray area on this one.
2 - sal m
i don't disagree that the argument can be made that if hgh is legal, you as an individual have the right to take it regardless of your reasons for taking it.
however, if the nfl, nba, mlb, olympics or any other organizations say that those who compete cannot take any substance that can aid in performance, and clearly define what these substances are, it is their right to conduct their business as they see fit.
furthermore, if athletes want to advance the position that they should be entitled to take whatever drugs they want because it's their ass on the line and that their livelihood is at stake, let them make this argument. as of this point, not one athlete has taken this position and has said that regardless of what certain medical experts say, that it's their right to take what they want to help them to be as good as they can be. if anything, athletes have gone to great lengths to hide their use of these substances.
i'm waiting for an athlete to take the very defendable position that jeff has stated above.
3 - Hairynipples
what up with Wade Wilson? Should I consider hgh to improve my desk performance??? I lean at least two inches closer to a much larger monitor these days...This is certainly affecting my performance.