In March 2007, Copeland became a key figure in an alleged steroid ring and drug investigation. On March 19, "Sports Illustrated" posted an article on its website in its continuing series investigating a steroid and human growth hormone (hGH) ring used by a number of professional athletes in several sports. That article mentioned several current and former WWE wrestlers, including Copeland, who was alleged to have obtained hGH. Copeland has previously admitted to using steroids in April 2004 after neck surgery as an experiment on TSN's "Off The Record with Michael Landsberg" in January 2005. He said, he felt it slowed him down, so he quickly got off the substance. According to Copeland, he took hGH after returning from a spinal fusion neck surgery. He was told by doctors that it would help the bones grow back around the screws and plate that were inserted into his neck. He claims to have taken blood tests, consulted doctors, studied the drug, and got prescriptions before deciding to take them.