As the nature of opioid pain treatment — both short- and long-term — continues to grow as a topic of discussion around professional football, many former NFL players have touted the advantages of CBD — Cannibidiol, a derived substance that doesn’t have the intoxicating effects of marijuana — for non-addictive pain relief.
In the new video series “Game Changers,” veterans Marvin Washington, Leonard Marshall, Eben Britton, and Grant Mattos discuss injuries sustained during their careers, rampant opioid addiction in the league, and the NFL’s stance on marijuana use.
Washington, a Denver native who played 11 seasons in the NFL, including one as a backup with the Broncos in their 1998 championship season, revealed that the NFL did not inform him of serious injuries he sustained during his career, including concussions.
“Sitting together with the group of guys that spanned four decades of football and talking was therapeutic,” said Washington. “Too many times we think we are going through something alone, but this will show guys that they are not. Maybe this will start conversations all around the country between former players and ultimately lead to change.”
“Game Changers” provides current and former professional athletes with a platform to tell their stories of pain, triumph, while ending with the positive message of progress.
“If players are going to get NFL teams to move away from the use of synthetic pain drugs to treat injuries, I feel they need to band together and form an alliance with one another regarding the use of CBD,” said Marshall, former 12-year NFL defensive lineman. “The general public may think these players are just looking to get high, however, many of these players are just looking to get healthy, and that’s more than fair.”
Episode 1 of “Game Changers” can be viewed here.
“With the 2017 football season now underway, we thought it was important for people to know what these players sacrifice in order to entertain fans every week and hope that fans can empathize and ultimately become advocates for cannabis in the NFL,” said Matt Gray, CEO of advocacy group HERB.