Steelers’ James Harrison says he’s willing to meet with NFL officials ... after deadline

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is willing to meet with the NFL to discuss an alleged link to performance-enhancing drugs — but only five days after a deadline the league has imposed while threatening him and three other players with indefinite suspensions.

NFL Players Assn. attorney Heather McPhee sent a letter to the NFL on Thursday, accusing it of trying to “bully and publicly shame” Harrison without offering evidence beyond a brief mention in a television interview last year that was recanted by the accuser.

Green Bay’s Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, and free agent Mike Neal also were threatened with suspensions. It was not immediately known if a similar meeting was being proposed by the union.

The league’s deadline for cooperation from the four players is Aug. 25. McPhee’s letter said Harrison would meet with the NFL at 5 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the team’s facility, and would only discuss the portion of the Al-Jazeera interview that mentioned the 14-year veteran.

Etc.

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