Chris Long Says He Used Marijuana Regularly During Playing Career
By Michael Luciano
The NFL and its players have gradually been moving towards a more accepting attitude regarding the use of marijuana, especially given its medicinal benefits as a treatment for anxiety and pain, among other things.
Recently-retired defensive end Chris Long, who played for 11 seasons in the league with the Rams, Patriots, and Eagles, claims that he was a regular marijuana smoker during his career.
"I think from a standpoint of what’s safer for people and the player, certainly people in the spotlight, it is far less harmful than alcohol..."
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 22, 2019
Chris Long opened up about marijuana use throughout his NFL career https://t.co/NAdHebHEYb
"I’m not a dry snitch, I’m not going to put a percentage on how much the league smokes, but I certainly enjoyed my fair share on a regular basis through my career," Long said. "If not for that, I’m not as capable of coping with the stresses of day-to-day NFL life. A lot of guys get a lot of pain management out of it, but Toradol did more pain management for me."
Long's overarching point was the notion that marijuana is much less dangerous than tobacco or alcohol, which the league does not currently demonize the way it does marijuana. Long also pointed out how dangerous and addictive sleeping pills and painkillers, which are provided to players regularly, can be as compared to weed.
Chris Long admits to regular marijuana use during NFL career and explains how he beat tests https://t.co/l1Bg1eBgJV
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) May 22, 2019
Hopefully, with the testimony of Long and several others, the NFL's hardline stance on marijuana can soften in the years to come.