Receiver Santana Moss is Athlete A, the player linked to Canadian doctor Anthony Galea, who was arrested and charged last September with illegally providing human growth hormone to NFL players.
The Buffalo News first reported that Moss was the player connected to Galea and who was identified as Athlete A in federal documents. Other sources have confirmed Moss’ inclusion.
Moss could not be reached for comment. Redskins coach, and executive vice president, Mike Shanahan said he has not been contacted by the NFL regarding this situation. Nor had he spoken to Moss as of Thursday afternoon, but would do so “at the right time.”
The NFL, however, is paying attention to the investigation and one former player said, “There is less tolerance than ever for this.”
“Let’s just wait and see before we throw him underneath the bus,” Shanahan said. “Just because he’s been associated with a doctor doesn’t mean this person is guilty.”
Shanahan said he spoke to a couple of people linked to Galea in the past and pointed out that none faced repercussions.
“I’ve been in this league for 25 years. I’ve had so many of these things happen,” Shanahan said. “There’s no substance to it. I just have to wait and see. Sometimes there is substance. We’ll wait and see and let the chips fall where they may.”
The Buffalo News reported that federal prosecutors do not intend to file criminal charges against Moss or any other athlete who dealt with Galea, who is not licensed to practice in the United States. And his attorney told the News that Galea did not enhance any athletes’ performance. Depending on the amount used, HGH can be used for various reasons, from helping heal injuries faster to building body mass and adding strength.
“[Galea] strictly provided treatment for injuries,” Mark Mahoney said. “If any athlete got [human growth hormone], it was injected directly into injured tissue, in very small amounts, for purposes of healing.”
According to documents, Moss told federal investigators that he did not knowingly take HGH. The doctor and an assistant were arrested in September. The assistant, Mary Catalano, traveling by herself to Washington to allegedly meet with Moss, was found to have HGH, Actovegin — a drug made from calves’ blood — syringes and a centrifuge in her car.
Moss has dealt with knee problems for the past three years and underwent surgery this offseason. He has not yet resumed full participation in offseason workouts.
“Santana’s been out for a while,” Shanahan said. “He’s been working extremely hard over at the facility. We understand the rules and the guidelines and they’re very explicit, so hopefully we do things the right way.”
