Cannabis has become another issue that NFL players and Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, have failed to see eye-to-eye on recently. While Goodell has clearly stated in the past that the NFL does not plan to change the league policy on marijuana (even in places where it’s legal), some players continue to speak out about marijuana’s potential to help them.
For many NFL players, like the Baltimore Ravens’ Eugene Monroe, pain relief is at the top of the list of reasons that marijuana could be beneficial. According to Monroe, “You’re hitting each other as hard as possible every single day in practice. Your body is in pain a lot of time.” While there are strong, legal pain medications available, many players are concerned about the potential for addiction.
Goodell has even stated that the stance against marijuana would remain regardless of new evidence about marijuana’s benefits. According to Goodell, “I agree there has been changes, but not significant enough changes that our medical personnel have changed their view […] Until they do, then I don’t expect that we will change our view.”
