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Ryan Braun apparently has some work to do to repair his friendship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Describing himself as shocked and disappointed, Rodgers said Friday after the Packers' first training camp practice that Braun "looked at me in the eye on multiple occasions and repeatedly denied the allegations" that the Milwaukee Brewers slugger was using performance-enhancing drugs.
Braun this week accepted a season-ending 65-game suspension after admitting to violating baseball's rules against using PEDs.
Rodgers felt duped by his buddy and business associate, a sentiment being expressed by many others in Wisconsin. A Milwaukee restaurant is named for two of the state's most well-known athletes, and Rodgers last year defended his friend on Twitter, going so far as to bet his multimillion-dollar salary that Braun was clean.
"It's disappointing, not only for myself as a friend but for obviously Wisconsin sports fans, Brewer fans, Major League Baseball fans," Rodgers said before a throng of media surrounding his locker. "It doesn't feel great being lied to like that, and I'm disappointed about the way it all went down."
Rodgers and Braun have spoken since the slugger's suspension. Asked if he considered themselves friends, Rodgers didn't answer directly but said in part, "I trusted him, and that's the thing that probably hurts the most."
Vikings' Peterson eager for HGH testing
Embracing the challenge has always been a part of Adrian Peterson's persona. Bring it on, the star running back has often said with a smile.
He set the NFL's single-game rushing record as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings. His swift recovery from reconstructive left knee surgery last season included a jaw-dropping 2,097 yards rushing and the league MVP award. No matter how rare the feat he's asked about, Peterson will usually insist it's possible.
There's another test he'd eagerly take: for human growth hormone.
"I can't wait until they draw my blood," Peterson said Friday after the team's first workout of training camp.
The NFL and the players union have been working on an agreement for HGH testing procedures. Supplemental HGH is a banned substance that's difficult to detect. It's been used by athletes for what are believed to be a variety of benefits, whether real or only perceived, like increased speed and improved vision.
"To be honest with you, I've been hoping they did this a long time ago, you know, evening out the playing field and make guys be honest and truthful to themselves," Peterson said, later adding: "I'm all natural. I work hard. This right here, it's a test for me personally, that I know that, 'Hey, I'm clean as a whistle,' and other guys as well. And then, like I say, it'll bring some guys to the forefront and be like, 'Hey, I guess this is how this guy's been performing so well.'"
Peterson said he believes HGH use is not uncommon around the league.
"You've got guys out there trying to provide for their families, they're going to try to get that edge, get that advantage, especially if they're not worried about trying to get caught," Peterson said. "Yeah, it's being used."
Around the league
Bengals • An MRI found that All-Pro receiver A.J. Green has a bruised knee that will force him to miss several days of practice. Green hurt his left knee near the end of Cincinnati's first practice of training camp on Thursday. Green said an MRI that found no structural damage.
Chiefs • Kansas City agreed to terms with No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher, ensuring that the big right tackle out of Central Michigan will be in training camp. A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press the contract will be for five years. The deal is expected to be in the $22 million range.
Ravens • Offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie joined his teammates on the field Friday after missing the first day of training camp for being overweight. The 6-foot-8, 360-pound McKinnie was held out of Thursday's session by coach John Harbaugh, who said the left tackle was "in good shape" but too heavy to practice.
Patriots • Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard participated in the team's first training camp practice but wouldn't discuss his drunken driving arrest July 11 in Lincoln, Neb., where he played college football for Nebraska.
Redskins • Defensive end Jarvis Jenkins was suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL's drugs policy. Jenkins released a statement saying he was "shocked and confused" to learn that he had tested positive for a banned performance enhancing substance.
Jets • Cornerback Aaron Berry will miss the season after injuring a knee on the first day of practice at training camp.