As the NFL prepares to interview three defensive standouts in the Al Jazeera America report linking them to performance-enhancing drugs, Major League Baseball cleared the Phillies’ Ryan Howard and the Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman of any wrongdoing Friday.Both MLB players were mentioned in that same Al Jazeera America documentary with the NFL’s James Harrison, Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal and the retired Peyton Manning, who already has been cleared by the league. 
Howard and Zimmerman denied any involvement with PEDs from the start -- they were accused of using human growth hormone -- and both still plan to pursue defamation lawsuits.Howard released this statement Friday:"The accusations from Al Jazeera came out of nowhere, and I was shocked and outraged by their false claims. I welcomed the investigation by Major League Baseball as an opportunity to clear my name. I was fully cooperative and transparent in the process, and MLB’s findings validate what I have said publicly. I am glad that this part of the process has concluded, and I look forward to holding the responsible people accountable for these false and defamatory claims in my ongoing litigation against Al Jazeera and its reporters."And Zimmerman released this statement:"I understand why Major League Baseball found it necessary to explore this matter, and I appreciate that MLB, after a thorough investigation, was able to publicly affirm my innocence. Throughout my life and career, I have been true to myself, my family, the Nationals organization and my community. It is not right that a so-called news organization and its personnel can publicly make false accusations that damage my reputation and call into question my integrity without any consequences whatsoever. As I said in January when I filed my lawsuit, I am determined to hold Al Jazeera and its reporters accountable for their defamatory actions."Howard, 36, is a career .259 hitter with 376 homers and 1,178 RBI in 13 major-league seasons – all with the Phillies.Zimmerman, 31, has played his entire 12-season major-league career with the Nationals, hitting .280 with 212 homers and 821 RBIChris Bahr/FOX Sports
Howard and Zimmerman denied any involvement with PEDs from the start -- they were accused of using human growth hormone -- and both still plan to pursue defamation lawsuits.Howard released this statement Friday:"The accusations from Al Jazeera came out of nowhere, and I was shocked and outraged by their false claims. I welcomed the investigation by Major League Baseball as an opportunity to clear my name. I was fully cooperative and transparent in the process, and MLB’s findings validate what I have said publicly. I am glad that this part of the process has concluded, and I look forward to holding the responsible people accountable for these false and defamatory claims in my ongoing litigation against Al Jazeera and its reporters."And Zimmerman released this statement:"I understand why Major League Baseball found it necessary to explore this matter, and I appreciate that MLB, after a thorough investigation, was able to publicly affirm my innocence. Throughout my life and career, I have been true to myself, my family, the Nationals organization and my community. It is not right that a so-called news organization and its personnel can publicly make false accusations that damage my reputation and call into question my integrity without any consequences whatsoever. As I said in January when I filed my lawsuit, I am determined to hold Al Jazeera and its reporters accountable for their defamatory actions."Howard, 36, is a career .259 hitter with 376 homers and 1,178 RBI in 13 major-league seasons – all with the Phillies.Zimmerman, 31, has played his entire 12-season major-league career with the Nationals, hitting .280 with 212 homers and 821 RBIChris Bahr/FOX Sports
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