Randy Gregory, a former edge rusher with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, is suing the National Football League and the Broncos’ organization for “unjust fines” totaling over $500,000.
As reported by Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette, Gregory filed a lawsuit in Arapahoe County (Colorado) on Wednesday against the Broncos and the NFL for what he described as “unjust fines” for medication he used containing THC that resulted in him owing $532,500 in penalties.
- Randy Gregory stats (career): 69 QB hits, 27 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 3 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception in 72 games
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Gregory’s lawsuit claimed that he was prescribed Dronabinol, which is a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol that is FDA-approved. The 31-year-old outside linebacker’s lawsuit said he used the medication for social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders and claims the NFL finning him for testing positive for THC is discrimination due to his disabilities.
Gregory’s agent told The Denver Gazette that he is seeking full reimbursement ($532,500) for the fines in addition to other damages. He is also seeking to be protected from future fines by the NFL for future tests that would find THC in his system due to the doctor-described Dronabinol.
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“This has nothing really to do with the Broncos. This is really the NFL. Randy’s got a prescription in a state (Colorado) where marijuana is legal, and we’re trying to get a reasonable accommodation to treat his disabilities at the direction of his physician. If his physician says this is a legal pain management option and everybody else in the state can do it, why can’t Randy or any Broncos player?”
Peter Shaffer, Randy Gregory’s agent, on his lawsuit against the NFL
Gregory was selected by the Cowboys with the 60th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. During his NFL career, he has been suspended multiple times for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. After missing the 2017 and 2019 NFL seasons, Gregory revealed in 2020 that he has social anxiety disorder and he has been open about his battles with mental health.
- Randy Gregory contract: $1.365 million salary in 2024
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The Broncos traded Gregory to the San Francisco 49ers in October 2023 and he finished out the season with the NFC champions. Gregory signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April.