Ex-NFL star Ricky Williams believes that the league is moving in the right direction by loosening its stance on cannabis in recent years. However, he hopes that the NFL goes one step further by allowing teams to treat players with marijuana after games. Williams, who was suspended five times and missed a chunk of his career for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, believes that society is going through a big transformation when it comes to accepting the benefits of cannabis and psychedelics, and he hopes the NFL follows suit.
The NFL changed its marijuana policy in 2021, electing to only test players once a year and handing down less punishment if someone is caught using the drug. Ricky is thrilled with the league’s changed stance on cannabis but feels it would have great benefits for players if they were encouraged to use marijuana instead of pills during recovery.
“I think the next step, though, is at the end of a game,” says Williams. “If we’re on the plane ride home, the trainer is walking down the aisle and has two capsule cases — one of Ambien, and the other one of Vicodin. And he’s walking down the aisle and saying, ‘Do you need any of this, do you need any of this?’ And the truth is, for football players, we do need something because it hurts, and you’re all revved up and it’s hard to calm down and go to sleep. And I’d love to see cannabis as being one of those things that the trainer is walking down the aisle and offering to those players.”
Ricky has been an advocate for the cause for decades and has legally changed his name to Errick Miron recently. He is outspoken about the positive effects cannabis had on his mental health throughout his career. Now, his own lifestyle brand, “Highsman,” is going strong, and he says the whole experience has been nothing but positive.
“We have an authentic message, and people are growing some really amazing flower that can really help people feel better,” Ricky added. “If we can be a person that can make that connection on the cannabis side, that feels great to us.”
Ricky’s hope for the NFL to allow marijuana use for players after games is based on the belief that cannabis can provide a safer and more effective alternative to painkillers and sleep aids. Many players in the NFL deal with chronic pain and struggle with sleep after games, and Ricky believes that marijuana could be a natural solution for these issues.
The benefits of cannabis for pain relief and sleep have been supported by research and testimonials from athletes and individuals who have used it. The use of cannabis in professional sports has gained attention in recent years, with some leagues and organizations updating their policies to allow for its use. However, there is still a long way to go in terms of widespread acceptance and implementation.
The potential benefits of cannabis for athletes extend beyond pain relief and sleep. CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in recovery from injuries. It can also help with anxiety and stress management, which are common issues for athletes.
In addition to its physical benefits, cannabis can also have mental health benefits for athletes. It can help with stress, anxiety, and depression, which are prevalent in the high-pressure world of professional sports. Ricky’s own experience with using cannabis for mental health purposes highlights its potential as a tool for athletes to maintain their well-being.
The use of cannabis in professional sports is still a controversial topic, and there are concerns about its potential impact on performance and the integrity of the sport. However, with growing acceptance and research supporting its benefits, there is a growing movement for more lenient policies and regulations.
Ricky Williams’ advocacy for cannabis in the NFL is part of a larger conversation about the role of cannabis in sports and society as a whole. As more athletes and individuals share their positive experiences and benefits of cannabis use, the stigma surrounding it is slowly being dismantled. It remains to be seen whether the NFL and other professional sports leagues will fully embrace cannabis as a viable option for pain management and overall well-being, but Ricky Williams continues to be a vocal advocate for its use in the league.
