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NFL to Investigate Potential Use of PEDs by Green Bay Packers

By Bill Zimmerman

Jul 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packer linebacker Clay Matthews (left) talks to defensive end Julius Peppers during training camp at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packer linebacker Clay Matthews (left) talks to defensive end Julius Peppers during training camp at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NFL will be investigating multiple members of the 2015 Green Bay Packers because of potential ties to PED use.

The Green Bay Packers could be in some serious trouble with Roger Goodell and the NFL.

According to the Associated Press, the NFL will meet with Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, and Mike Neal next month due to the Al-Jazeera report from December of 2015 that linked all three to PED use.

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The AP report goes on to say that the NFL notified all three players (as well as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison) on January 11th that they would investigate the story, but the NFLPA has ignored multiple requests by the league to interview the players.

If the NFL finds that there is truth to the report and that these three Packers players did indeed take PEDs, that could warrant suspensions (depending on appeals and the NFLPA’s course of action) that would significantly impact the Packers in 2016.

Both Matthews and Peppers are key members to the Packers defense (Neal is now a free agent) and losing both of them for four games will substantially hinder that defense and could very well affect the Packers in the win-loss column.

If all three are found to have used PEDs, it becomes fair to question the Packers’ organization as that would mean 30% of the 2015 defense was using banned substances. There is still a long way to go before any of these leaps can be made, but this is definitely worth monitoring.

This is the same Al-Jazeera report that linked Peyton Manning to PED use. Many NFL fans across the country immediately discredited the report when it originally surfaced due to the unfamiliarity they have with the Al-Jazeera news organization but the fact is, Al-Jazeera is one of the most respected news organizations in the world. The are as well-respected as the BBC and have won several international awards.

It’s still a possibility that this report is unfounded, but this will be closely monitored by all NFC North teams as we approach the season.

Bill Zimmerman is an editor and featured writer for FanSided‘s BearGogglesOn. Like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter for more news and interaction.

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