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Man denies report that QB Manning got growth hormones

Dec 27 (Reuters) - A man alleged in a news report to have provided human growth hormones (HGH) to Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning to combat neck surgery in 2011 has recanted his statements in a video recording. An Al-Jazeera report aired on Sunday shows Charlie Sly telling an undercover reporter that he supplied HGH to Manning while working at an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic. Manning was with the Indianapolis Colts at that time. The NFL declined to comment on the report but the Broncos issued a statement on behalf of their 39-year-old quarterback who dismissed the claims. "The allegation that I would do something like that is complete garbage and is totally made up," Manning said in the statement. "It never happened. Never. I really can't believe somebody would put something like this on the air." Manning did not play in 2011 because of a series of neck surgeries. In the Al-Jazeera undercover report, Sly says the clinic where he worked provided HGH to Manning and several Major League Baseball players. In a nearly minute-long You Tube statement given before the Al-Jazeera broadcast, Sly said Al-Jazeera recorded him without his knowledge or consent. "The statements on any recordings or communications that Al-Jazeera plans to air are absolutely false and incorrect," Sly said. "To be clear, I am recanting any such statements and there is no truth to any statement of mine that Al-Jazeera plans to air." The NFL collective bargaining agreement, ratified in 2011, banned HGH. But players weren't tested for the banned substance until 2014. No NFL player has tested positive for HGH. Manning has not played since Nov. 15 after he suffered a foot injury in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Reporting by Kevin Murphy and Tim Wharnsby; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)