Banned, but Bountiful: Marijuana Coveted by NFL Players as Invaluable Painkiller

[n2doc]

Jamal Anderson was a talented NFL running back with a bruising style who rushed for over 5,000 yards while playing for the Atlanta Falcons. It was a more physical league during Anderson's time, and he retired in 2001 after an eight-year playing career. It was nastier. More punishing. More measures taken by players to ease the pain of playing in the sport.

Anderson remembers the prevalent use of marijuana when he was in the game. It was used for enjoyment but also as treatment for the aches and bruises caused by professional football.

"When I played, 40 to 50 percent of the league used it," Anderson said recently.

Anderson stays in regular contact with players now, and he believes the number of NFL players who use marijuana has grown significantly since he was a Falcon. He's not alone. Current players say marijuana use in the sport is extensive, with many using the drug to deal with the ramifications of head trauma. One player said in an interview he believes smoking marijuana helped prevent him from attempting suicide.

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2486218-banned-but-bountiful-marijuana-coveted-by-nfl-players-as-invaluable-painkiller

[RussBLib]

1. very believable

The range of uses of this marvelous herb should be exalted and researched, not prohibited and suppressed.

May sanity continue to move us forward

May those in the dark see the light

[tishaLA]

2. we also know, avecdotally, at least, that this is true in basketball

Even if the players just use it because of the anxiety-filled world on professional prorts, it's surelyw ortho I