Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham dropped a bombshell on the sports world yesterday, stating emphatically that the use of HGH in the NFL is much more rampant than anyone cares to acknowledge right now. Graham discussed the topic during an interview with local radio host J.P. Peterson of 1010 WQYK-AM in Tampa Bay.

HGH or Human Growth Hormone, is a banned substance in almost every major professional sports league that is well known for its ability to speed up recovery time from injuries and workouts. It’s detection can be difficult at best though, which is why its use could be much more wide spread than estimates show.

The audio from the interview was transcribed by JoeBucsFan.com.

“They don’t have a [drug] test for [HGH]. It wouldn’t shock me if a ton … I’d say a lot of NFL players are doing it. I would say, I’ve heard a lot of people, even in Hollywood the average person is [using] HGH. It’s supposed to be this great thing. Especially in a sport like football. You know, I would assume that a lot of guys have access to it and are using it. I would assume so. I wouldn’t doubt it, man, with what’s at stake. Especially in this game, not having guaranteed contracts you know with so much riding on your performance, a game that tears your body down like that, I would assume that a lot of people are making that decision to use HGH. Especially if there’s not a test for it. Because at some point you feel like you’re not cheating, you’re not doing anything wrong. I would say definitely. I would not be shocked.”

“I would say 30 percent [are using HGH]. I have no idea how to come across it. Not that I’m looking for it. I don’t know anybody. It’s not something that a guy would just, unless you really trust a guy, to open up and talk about. You know what I mean. …I’ve heard a guy talk about HGH but not [that he's doing it].”

– Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham

The NFL does not currently test for HGH in its players, but does have punishment standards in place if it is detected via other medical tests that players undergo on a routine basis. Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was suspended for using the substance in 2007.

No related posts.