Rodney Harrison Admits to Using HGH

by MegECass110

This is so weird for me. I'm kind of speechless. I don't really know what to think.

I love Rodney Harrison. He is my second favorite Patriot behind Brady. I am perfectly aware that my view of him is extremely skewed, since I did not see any of him in his first nine years as a Charger. But all I have seen is a fiery, emotional, intense, competitive, hard-hitting leader who has gained the respect and adoration of his teammates and all of Patriot nation. I think the past two years have just killed him, not being able to get on the field. I don't think, other than spend time with his family, there is anything he would rather do than play football.

I know some of you (cough JuT cough) hate his guts, and he has a reputation as being one of the league's dirtiest players. You're all welcome to believe that. This will be Harrison's second career suspension, the first coming on a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jerry Rice in 2002. He has been heavily fined for his actions on the field (I believe the most fined player in NFL history?). Off the field, he has been a model citizen, frequenting Patriots charity events and consistently being a team guy.

I guess I'm trying to get some perspective on this whole thing. He is, honestly, one of the last people I would expect to use steroids (based on my horrifically biased analysis of his character). I feel like I would be a complete hypocrite if I ignored Harrison's admission, when I utterly despise Barry Bonds and Shawne Merriman for their supposed and verified transgressions (it's different; they're both douchebags IMO, which is my biggest reason for not liking them). There's something to be said for admitting your guilt and accepting your punishment, which makes me want to forgive him.

Even more important in a league sense, Harrison's revelation opens up yet another bag of worms. Dogfighting, HGH, what's next, refs fixing games? My favorite league has all of these individual incidents, but they never seem to lead to anything bigger. These situations might be different. Goodell Castro (that's for you, Manny :) has laid the hammer down well on Michael Vick; though not nearly the superstar Vick was, Harrison's suspension will open some eyes.

On the football side, Harrison will be replaced by either James Sanders or rookie Brandon Meriweather (neither of whom I am terribly worried about, by the way).

Bottom line: Am I disappointed? Yeah, but Rodney's still my boy. He was one of the first players to make me truly appreciate and get excited by defense. You made a mistake, you admitted it, let's move on.

Can someone tell me if I'm completely out of line and just being a homer? Any other Pats fans feel the same way?

Behbigben15All-Star

803 days ago

Score 3

At least he told the truth about it, unlike Michael Vick who lied right to Goodell's face to face, I give Harrison respect for that. But, that doesn't mean I forgive him for using HGH. I have a feeling that there are more players that will get busted in the future.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 1

When Mike Vick did apologize, he mentioned Goodell first!

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The BeastAAA-er

803 days ago

Score 1

[[[User:False Prophet]] Someone won't be too happy]

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 2

if the suspension is 4 games, the Pats can survive. It's Bills, Jets, Chargers, Bengals. SD is at home, so that'll help, and they'll still be working out the kinks from the transition. The Jets might be a tough game, but the pats beat them in the playoffs without him. I think the pats are a good enough team that he won't be the deciding factor. That'll be Matt Light and the rest of the oline. If they give Brady time, the pats will survive. The Bengals will be interesting. It'll be an interesting game. The Bills will be an easy win without him. And on top of that. WIth Sammuel back, Meriweather can spend more time at Safety, and probably start in his place

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KelsdadAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 2

No effin" kidding!!! An NFL player using HGH!! No, c'mon, this has to be a misprint!! Seriously??

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

803 days ago

Score 3

Bill Romanowski is somewhere out there right now 'roid raging in his Porsche on his way to Goodell's home.

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Davis21wylieMVP

803 days ago

Score 6

Wasn't that a mini-game in Blitz: The League?

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 2

Will he get Tank Johnson to ride (pun intended) shotgun? Or have Lance Briggs drive for him??

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Davis21wylieMVP

803 days ago

Score 2

And on the way home, Ricky Manning will have them drop him off at Denny's so he can beat the hell out of people using laptops.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 1

DDub, you are opening a can of worms that might keep us up all night! Like Bill Maas rolling on a few tabs... or (the one and only) L.T. sending hookers to opposing teams' hotels and laughing while stuffing his face in a pile of coke...

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Davis21wylieMVP

803 days ago

Score 1

Don't worry Manny, the whole situation will be resolved when they get to Goodell's house -- he'll just release Mike Vick's hounds on them!

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StatistocratWaterboy

803 days ago

Score 1

Does anyone know how you get the picture to appear on your articles...everytime I do it, it shows as a clickable option, but I want the picture to stay permanent on the article..any help would be appreciated Statistocrat

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 0

Found the article, and read it. It's not quite that shocking now that I think about it. He's been able to get back into the game after huge injuries. In the press conference, Harrison admitted to using it for healing. To me, this still shows that he's not Bill Romanowski, and his power and ability is still real.

A couple of things to ponder:

• "I want to make it clear," Harrison said, "that never once did I take steroids. I did admit to the commissioner that I took a banned substance."

• He admitted to it. He's come clean, and I appretiate that. To me, he still should have a spot on the roster. He's a leader, and a very intelligent player.

• the biggest question is whether or not this is part of a larger thing, and if so, how big of an involvement did he have. Was it like brady meeting Greg Anderson and Barry Bonds in San Fran except for he actually tried it a few times? Or is this Bad Newz Kennals 2.0, where Rodney was deep into a blackmarket of illegal substance use

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

803 days ago

Score 0

Did he also practice wagging and pointing his finger while denying steroid use a la Palmeiro?

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 0

he's banned for HGH, not Steroids. He admitted to using a banned substance that was not steroids

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 4

So HGH is ok and steroids are not?

BANNED substance is a BANNED substance. He knew the rules and defied them to the point that Feds found out about it. This is not a one-time user here...

He came clean to the commissioner AFTER getting caught.

Maybe we'll find out that Belichick is on PEDs too - that's why he rips all of the sleeves off his hoodies!

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Bball3345Draft Pick

803 days ago

Score 1

It's hard NOT to admit it after the Feds have caught you. It's not like he randomly came forward and admitted it because it was heavy on his conscience.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 0

FOR REAL!

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

802 days ago

Score 0

Leave it to FP to always miss the damn point.

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Bball3345Draft Pick

803 days ago

Score 4

It's going to be funny to see how people will basically ignore Rodney Harrison and Shawne Merriman being caught red-handed using HGH, while still blaming the "fall of MLB" on Bonds. Not that there is anything hypocritical about that or anything...

And "but Harrison is a good guy and Bonds is a jerk" doesn't fly as a rebuttal. I don't think "nice guys" are allowed to cheat at a sport and receive a free pass, while "jerks" get crucified. How many of you have spent more than 30 seconds with either Bonds or Harrison? So what gives you the right to make ANY personal judgments about them?

Rules are in place for a reason. If a player failed the league's testing policy, he should serve the sentence. Merriman failed. Bonds has never failed a test, so he is clean until PROVEN otherwise. There was an interview at BaseballProspectus with the guy who makes Bonds' armguard. Bonds' bicep has not grown in over a decade. Let me repeat: Bonds has had the exact same measurement of his bicep before and through the alleged steroid years. I don't believe ESPN ever took the time to discover that little nugget.

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 0

name me a defensive record off the top of your head. Chances are you can't. Defensive records mean jack nothing in football. Records mean everything in baseball. Besides, Merriman and Harrison have no records they set or broke, and if Harrison does and I am forgetting it, it was pre-injury, and was not effected by the useage

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Bball3345Draft Pick

803 days ago

Score 5

So, as long as you aren't setting a record, it is ok to cheat?

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 0

no, but so long as it isn't the offensive guys with the glory stats, people want to see big hits. It's also different because Rodney never used steroids, nor did he use anything to improve his performance. A cheater is a Cheater, but the impacts on the game are completely different

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Bball3345Draft Pick

803 days ago

Score 1

People want to see big hits, but again, is that supposed to justify giving people a free pass?

"It's also different because Rodney never used steroids, nor did he use anything to improve his performance." What!?! Do you mean that? He took a performance-enhancer! Are you suggesting Bonds took steroids, because he is being accused of using HGH, which is what Harrison admitted to taking.

"The impacts on the game are completely different."

That's the thing, no one knows the impact of performance-enhancers on any person, or any game.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 4

FP - isn't defense the key to a championship? How are defensive stats not important? BBall - we're never going to find out the truth as long as pariahs are being made of the users/guinea pigs

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Bball3345Draft Pick

803 days ago

Score 1

Manny, it's a shame we can't do an experiment with players. Y'know, like randomly assigning players dosages of HGH. Obviously this isn't ethical, but it would be a sweet experiment to do.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 0

It would make for some interesting new statistical categories - like HGHWHIP, Roid Road Avg and OPS+++

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score -1

Bonds took several things. HGH was to lower the down time between workouts for bonds.

Harrison has only used them to help come back from his injuries. He has no records or milestone accomplishments in the time period.

Bonds has used them as part of a cocktail with other steroids to increase power.

Harrison's impact is he can deliver big hits sooner.

Bond's impact is that he broke the most glorified record in sports, passed an eternal legend, and did it with drugs. If we assume Game of Shadows is true, all of bonds power came out of nowhere post-steroids.

Harrison is a HOF worthy player trying to hang with players to young, fast, and strong for him to keep up with.

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score -1

Manny, the stats are meaningless because his use began POST SB XXXIX

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Bball3345Draft Pick

803 days ago

Score 1

1. Bonds "allegedly" took several things.

2. No one but Harrison knows WHY he used HGH, or if that was all he used. 3. Just because he has no records, does not mean he didn't alter the outcomes of games. 4. Bonds was already being hailed as one of the greatest players to play the game prior to the "steroid years." So, I don't think it is 100% accurate to say "all of Bonds power came out of nowhere." 5. Bonds breaking of the record was at least partly due to him being an amazing hitter, and other variables (juiced ball, different bats, stadium size, diluted pitching, etc.) To say that steroids caused Bonds to break the record is inaccurate.

6. If Harrison is not "young, fast, and strong" enough to play in the NFL, then HGH is adding years onto his career. How is this fair?

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 4

Dude. Stop it. It's funny to watch you try and defend a guy who bought $150,000 worth of HGH (I'm SURE it was his first purchase) but to call him a HOF worthy player is preposterous.

Bonds didn't break any of baseball's rules and was never caught buying anything. Harrison SPAT directly on the NFL's rules.

And I will bet a testicle that he isn't the only Glorious New England Patriot that uses HGH... didn't they sign Todd Sauerbrun last year?

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 0

that's bullshit Bball, and you know it. Assuming bonds has no decline whatsoever after his mid thirties without steroids, he'd barely break Ruth's mark, and that'd be this year. He hit over 100 more home runs in 3 fewer years post 1998. If that isn't artificial, I don't know what is

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 0

because of his position. from wikipedia: "Is one of nine players in the history of the NFL to record at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks in his career. The other members of this small club are linebackers Jack Ham, Seth Joyner, Wilber Marshall, William Thomas, Donnie Edwards and Ray Lewis and safety LeRoy Butler and cornerback Ronde Barber."

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False ProphetAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 0

who served his suspension. They needed a punter, and he was the best guy for the job

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 0

Q. HOW MANY of those guys are HoFers? A. One (maybe Lewis can make it two, someday).

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KelsdadAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 2

Dick "Night Train" Lane. Most interceptions in a season. 14. How's that?

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 0

Now tell everyone how many games were in a season when he did it.

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KelsdadAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 1

Probably 12

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Simms1156Div-I Stud

803 days ago

Score 0

Ronde Barber has a good shot at being an eventual hall of famer as well.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 2

You are talking about the PRO Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio right? If Art Monk can't get in, what makes you think Barber can? EITHER Barber for that matter!

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KelsdadAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 3

Ronde Barber will get in only if he answers a classified ad to work in the cafeteria.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

803 days ago

Score 1

Or if he becomes a manager, and wins the Super Bowl eight times...

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

803 days ago

Score 1

Harrison cheated, plain and simple. He deserves his punishment, and he'd better not do it again. I think it's kind of strange to give him credit for coming forward when he actually was semi-caught. It's kind of sad that it's so rare for a guy to admit the truth, that we feel like giving them credit for doing something they should be doing anyway. He's a cheat, he'll do his time in NFL suspension, he'll be watched very closely by the NFL from now on, he'd better not do it again.

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AngeHammJV Squad

803 days ago

Score 0

The difference between our views of performance-enhancing substances in MLB and NFL isn't defined by the players. It's defined by the leagues. The NFL catches people for drugs and illegal substances all the time, someone being fined and suspended for some sort of drug use is a commonplace NFL news story. Baseball has been a ridiculous polyanna for decades, turning a blind eye as long as big home runs kept selling tickets and merchandise. The NFL has consistently fought steroids; baseball has been complicit in their use.

So no, I'm not going to equate Rodney Harrison, who did something dumb, cot caught, and admitted his crime, with Barry "I never knowingly took steroids" big-head Bonds.

Harrison has dropped mightily in my opinion today. If I had a Rodney Harrison jersey, I would suspend it for eight weeks, banning it to the back of my closet until it had served its punishment.

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Bball3345Draft Pick

803 days ago

Score 0

So, because Bonds never "got caught" it means that he is MORE guilty than Harrison. I guess since Albert Pujols has never failed a steroid test, he should be more guilty than Merriman, who has failed one. Merriman has been caught, we can forgive and forget, but Pujols must be doing something tricky and EVIL to avoid being caught.

MLB currently has the toughest performance-enhancing policy/test. Yes, it took them awhile to get there, but they have. Quite a few players have been suspended for failed steroid tests in MLB, so I don't think you can say they are still turning a blind eye.

There are no good reasons for the double-standard between MLB and NFL (really, between Bonds and every other single player that HAS failed a test).

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KelsdadAll-Star

803 days ago

Score 0

Barry Bond's personal assistant is back on the Chair!!

Actually BBall, its MINOR League Baseball with the tough drug policy. Most of, if not all of the players suspended have been Minor Leaguers. MLB will never have an effective policy on anything unless the owners collectively man up and force it.

The owner's can't even get rid of the DH, how do you expect them to make a decision of this magnitude.

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Bball3345Draft Pick

803 days ago

Score 0

There have been 15 positive tests in the Majors since 2005.

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Yakob878MVP

803 days ago

Score 0

When he comes back he will have fire in his bellie and ready to knock people around. Just like he did to vince young. The upside is that he admitted it at the start and not like vick and flip floped over weather he did or did not do it. The other positive thing is that rookie meriweather will get some more experience. Thats all I have to say he cheated and will serve his suspention.

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TheBatmanVarsity

802 days ago

Score 0

I'm not sure what to think about this. Harrison is a competitor, and even though he lays the occasional questionable shot on an opponent, it's hard not to like his drive and spirit. I'm confused by Harrison's insistence that taking HGH is not tantamount to using steroids. The effects of HGH and steroids are similar and both are banned by the NFL. And the fact that he's been doping for some time is very discouraging.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

663 days ago

Score 0

Harrison is a cheater - palin and simple. He has been fined repeatedly for illegal hits, and not only did he get caught using HGH once, it is a matter of record that he received HGH AT HIS OWN HOME IN HIS OWN NAME just days before the Superbowl in 2004. Might I point out that he had perhaps his best postseason game against the Eagles that day? Harrison is the douchebag my friend. Merriman? If he used HGH he is a cheater too, NEITHER SHOULD EVER BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IN THE LEAGUE AGAIN. The truth is that whatever the Pats did in the past 7-8 years is tainted by this scandal and the signal stealing incident.... and I have to ask the question, if they really are that good, why did they have to cheat? The answer is obvious, they weren't and aren't that good. They had to cheat to win, as individuals and as a team. Greatest Team ever? Bullshit, biggest cheaters ever.

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