You read that headline right. Former NFL linebacker Terry Crews, who played a total of 32 games in three seasons back in the 1990’s, has some strong words against the National Football League and its prescription drug-related issue that is now being brought to the front burner due to a lawsuit that was filed in San Francisco against the league this week.
Crews, who is now an actor, had the following to say about the league in the wake of the lawsuit (via CBS.com).
It’s really like a cult. I’m going to say it. The NFL is a cult, because you’ve been looking at this motto and this logo for your whole life and you believe in it and you’re like, ‘They wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. They never would.’ And, uh oh, maybe they would.
Crews is the latest former player to come out and speak against how teams implemented the use of pain killers in the past. A group of eight former players filed suit against the NFL in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on Wednesday. Among those taking part in the class-action suit are Richard Dent, Jim McMahon and Jeremy Newberry. Among other things, the lawsuit claims that…
* The NFL illegally and unethically supplied players serious pain medications, including addictive opioids, and NSAIDs such as torodol.
* The NFL did so for financial gain, in order to keep them in competition rather than allowing them to rest and heal.
* The NFL “fraudulently concealed” the dangerous side effects of the drugs from players.
Newberry, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, had this to say (via CBS.com)
A lot of times team trainers were giving out drugs, none of them have a medical degree,” said Newberry. “Some of them aren’t even licensed and they’re handing out drugs. They’re handing out anti-inflammatory. They’re handing out pain killers. They’re handing out sleeping pills. They’re handing out this stuff all together.
No matter your stance on these lawsuits currently out there against the NFL, this is some rather alarming information. The league must now stare its past in the face and contemplate taking responsibility. There aren’t going to be any shortages of these types of lawsuits moving forward unless the NFL accepts its fair share of responsibility.
Photo: CNNSI.com