Mortensen: Rodney Harrison to be suspended 4 games for Human Growth Hormone

[NE39]

Actually, I could get it easily, sans the doc.

Just because you can get it easily doesn't make it legal. HGH is easy to obtain because it is not covered by the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA does not enforce it.

However, HGH is legal only for medicinal purposes, and should only be available by a doctor's prescription. The Food and Drug administration is responsible for regulating HGH, and has classified it as a pharmaceutical, available via a doctors prescription. It isn't illegal, but it is medicine.

It is very illegal to distribute HGH, unless you are a doctor who prescribes it to treat certain diseases (like dwarfism).

 

[FloridaHerb]

You make a mistake and you own up to it, you're forgiven by those who love you and life goes on.

Rodney is part of our family, I'd rather have him be a man and admit to it and take him back into our hearts than have him deny allegations knowing deep down that he did something wrong.

You're still the man, Rodney! Let's all remember that like all humans he made a mistake but it takes a real man to admit to it.

See you in October!

 

[DaBruinz]

Oh for God's sake, this is pissing me off...Are fans not allowed to be upset? Disappointed? Yes, a few people are going a little too far, but for the most part I think it's been a measured reponse. After his four games, Rodney will be welcomed back with open arms. If he apologizes, every Pats fan will forgive him. But God forbid people show a little frustration at this news.

Being upset and disappointed is one thing. Calling him a cheater or saying to cut his ass is a totally different thing.

Especially when people don't know the whole friggin' story.

 

[amazinPats]

I don't care for the word "cheating" in this context. As far as we know, the entire league uses the substance. Let's not be so simplistic in our descriptions.

Rodney can be accused perhaps of weakness for bowing to internal or external pressures and taking the substance, but to be accused of cheating doesn't sound right.

 

[pats1]

I understand that its against the rules to USE it. Based on the Mortenson article, it said that Rodney admitted to purchasing it. It said nothing about having used it.

This is true. The story originally said "used," but it has since been edited (9:23 PM EST) to "obtained."

 

[NE39]

Players don't get suspended for their first offense do they?

HGH is covered by the Steriod policy. Like steriods, it leads to a 4-game suspension on the first offense. Shawn Merriman was suspended on his first offense.

If he had taken an illegal drug, like cocaine, he would be added to the program but not suspended. With those drugs, governed by a separate policy, the suspension happens on the second offense.

 

[NEPat]

Being upset and disappointed is one thing. Calling him a cheater or saying to cut his ass is a totally different thing.

Especially when people don't know the whole friggin story.

I understand, but again, these are all the initial reactions. You have to admit, finding this thread at the top of the page one week before the season starts is bound to cause some shock and agitation.

And it seems to me the majority of responses are along the disappointed/upset/surprised line. Very few are calling to "cut his ass."

 

[NE39]

I suppose. I don't even think the NFL has any real policy on HGH. It's un-testable.

It is covered by the steriod policy. They don't test for it, but that is because there is not a reliable (and cheap) test available.

 

[DaBruinz]

There does seem to be a "didn't inhale" desperation to the suggestion that a player took the risk of illicitly obtaining a performance-enhancing substance...but didn't plan to use it. Not credible.

I don't know the facts in this case. I generally have a lot of respect for Rodney. But there's little question that lots, LOTS of NFL players use HGH, and an aging warrior struggling to come back from injury is a natural victim for that temptation. It's all too plausible.

Would it make me want to jettison the guy? Nope. It would just depress me.

WOW. So you've NEVER bought clothes and never worn them? You must be some kind of extraordinary woman to do that.

And yes, it IS the same thing. Rodney could have purchased them and then, when he got them, decided against using them. Its very credible. And people do it all the time. Hell, I've seen people by $20,000 racing simulators only to have them sit in their shipping crates and then decide to sell them off. So why the hell wouldn't it be credible for Rodney to change his mind?

 

[Kdo5]

You make a mistake and you own up to it, you're forgiven by those who love you and life goes on.

Rodney is part of our family, I'd rather have him be a man and admit to it and take him back into our hearts than have him deny allegations knowing deep down that he did something wrong.

You're still the man, Rodney! Let's all remember that like all humans he made a mistake but it takes a real man to admit to it.

See you in October!

sigged! Its probably true that he took it but people are jumping to too many conclusions. I sure am dissapointed but not enough to start calling him a cheater and saying that we should cut his @ss.

 

[zippo59]

I don't care for the word "cheating" in this context. As far as we know, the entire league uses the substance. Let's not be so simplistic in our descriptions.

Rodney can be accused perhaps of weakness for bowing to internal or external pressures and taking the substance, but to be accused of cheating doesn't sound right.

Using HGH is against the rules. It doesn't matter how many people are doing it, it is illegal. The NFL views it the same way they do steroids. Justify it all you want, but it's cheating.

 

[tombonneau]

Sucks to lose Rodney for 4 games. But if the HGH helped his recovery enough that he is 100% when he comes back, I'd rather have 12 games of a healthy Harrison than 8 games of a healthy Harrioson w/o it.

Besides, it wouldn't be a Pats season without a little good old-fashioned diversity.

This just means Meriweather gets thrown into the fire. I think he responds.

And for all the didactic my-****-don't-don't-stink posters, chill out. It's the NFL. It happens.

 

[sarge]

I just can't help but think the presure Harrison put himself through regarding injuries the last two seasons led to this.

This just blows.

He's still all right with me.

I just feel bad for him that this may stick with him for a long time.

I'm sure pretty much fans of every team the Pats have layed waste to over the past few years (which is about all of them) are just living this up!

 

[PatsRI]

Seeing as how the Pats media relation dept. set up this conference call my bet is that it's an apology or a denial. I figure it's the apology. Hell if people can forgive Vick for killing dogs after his little presser the other day then this is nothing.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Using HGH is against the rules. It doesn't matter how many people are doing it, it is illegal. The NFL views it the same way they do steroids. Justify it all you want, but it's cheating.

No doubt. However, most likely the only difference between Rodney and dozens, if not hundreds, of other players is his name was on the wrong list and he got caught.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

Just because you can get it easily doesn't make it legal. HGH is easy to obtain because it is not covered by the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA does not enforce it.

However, HGH is legal only for medicinal purposes, and should only be available by a doctor's prescription. The Food and Drug administration is responsible for regulating HGH, and has classified it as a pharmaceutical, available via a doctors prescription. It isn't illegal, but it is medicine.

It is very illegal to distribute HGH, unless you are a doctor who prescribes it to treat certain diseases (like dwarfism).

Just to let everyone in on how screwed up the FDA is:

"A commission sponsored by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, and supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants to BAN all current over the counter sales of herbs, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and all other supplements."

http://www.therapure.com/codex.htm

Just because it's illegal, doesn't mean that it's bad for you...

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Its time to get over it.
"It is what it is"-BB

It's not like we have a chump defense!

Think of this time as a refueling/conditioning period for Rod.
The type of player he is and his age make this a blessing in disguise!

This will help some other dudes step up too!

His return will be explosive.

 

[DaBruinz]

Using HGH is against the rules. It doesn't matter how many people are doing it, it is illegal. The NFL views it the same way they do steroids. Justify it all you want, but it's cheating.

Its against the rules NOW. But how long was it that it WASN'T against the rules.

Again, all we know is that Rodney OBTAINED (Purchased) them. He could have gotten them and then thought better of them once he received them. Like people do with MANY things. Hell, all you have to do is look at all the NEW stuff on EBAY to know that hundred of thousands of people sell brand new, never used items to know that people can and DO change their minds after purchasing something.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Its time to get over it.
"It is what it is"-BB

It's not like we have a chump defense!

Think of this time as a refueling/conditioning period for Rod.
The type of player he is and his age make this a blessing in disguise!

It's a 4 week high ankle sprain to me.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Besides, it wouldn't be a Pats season without a little good old-fashioned diversity.

I think you meant adversity. /

In any case, count me among those who are disappointed, but not indignant.

I don't know what happened yet, so I'll say this much: if he broke the rules, and apologizes, I will definitely find it in my heart to forgive him. I don't think I can forget, but I can certainly forgive.