It took a little longer than we expected, but the NFL has cleared Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers.
Just as we expected.
The players, along with Steelers linebacker James Harrison and former Packer Mike Neal, were being investigated based on an Al Jazeera report that they were involved in a drug ring. Harrison was also cleared, but Neal has not been.
The investigation was a matter of much contention between the NFL and the player’s association. The league ultimately threatened to suspend the players if they didn’t participate in interviews with their investigators. When those interviews happened, we learned that the NFL didn’t have any evidence of wrongdoing. They were basing the investigation solely on the report, which now looks suspect.
Of course, the NFL has another story. Their press release stated that the investigation included all kinds things: The investigation involved witness interviews, a review of relevant records and other materials, electronic research, and laboratory analysis and review.
And amazingly, all of that produced a whole lot of nothing, at least for the three guys who have been cleared.
As we’ve speculated about before, Neal has long seemed guilty of something. He reportedly gave false written statements to league during this process. He’s also been suspended for drugs before. That could be why his name wasn’t mentioned in the league’s press release clearing the others.
2 Comments
I find it funny how a few months ago, Clay said he couldn’t wait to clear his name from this matter. Yet, he fought the interview until the NFL threatened to suspend him without pay. Sounded like he had something to hide because if it was me, I wouldn’t have wasted any time getting this matter cleared especially if I wasn’t guilty. If I was the NFL, I’d be testing Clay, Peppers, and Harrison after their first game, their sixth game, and their last game, just to keep them in check.
Let me explain why maybe, you should be supervised. Clay wasn’t fighting the interview as you so ignorantly stated. Read and learn……
When the NFL started to investigate this matter, the NFLPA immediately gets involved. Their involvement entailed pushing back on the NFL and it’s investigation. It’s the players Union, it’s their job, right or wrong.
Whether a player expresses that they want to clear their name right away, is not the issue. The issue, is in the hands of the Union and the players it represent’s. A player is not going to circumvent the Union, go act on their own, and go see Goodell. Don’t be naive that the NFL and the players Union haven’t been communicating about this issue the whole time. The players follow the Unions advice and act accordingly. The players involved may request to the Union that they want to talk to the NFL and get it behind them, as to not create drama and cause disruption to their respective teams. Then the Union will weigh the merits of the request and what’s in the best interest of those involved and grant their request. That’s exactly what i think happened in this case.
Unfortunately for you, you aren’t the NFL. And this situation won’t dictate that these players be tested any more, or any less than any other players.
Thank you for understanding.