New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison said last night that he had been suspended for four games by the National Football League for violating the league’s ban on performance-enhancing drugs.

Harrison said he used a prohibited substance, which is believed to be human growth hormone, but insisted he had never taken steroids. He said he admitted his use to Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“I want to make it clear that not once did I ever use steroids,” Harrison said. “My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge. Rather, my use was solely for the purpose of accelerating the healing process of injuries I sustained while playing football.” FULL STORY