When folks gravitate to the topic of pro athletes who were caught in flagrante delicto with marijuana, Olympic gold-winning Michael Phelps comes to mind. But let’s not forget about football. Yes, the art and sport of the pigskin has its share of players who have admitted to or were caught smoking marijuana. To educate our readership, we will bridge the gap between ganja and the gridiron:
RICKY WILLIAMS
This Heisman Trophy winner played 11 seasons with the NFL (1999 draft), playing for both the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately, because of league drug testing rules, Williams’ admitted use of cannabis caused him many problems, including failed drug tests, suspensions, a retirement from football, ad infinitum. He once told ESPN that cannabis “is 10 times better for me than Paxil.”
RANDY MOSS
This wide receiver—who recently signed a one-year contract with the 49ers for the 2012-2013 season—has been enjoying cannabis since high school. He admitted to smoking marijuana during his NFL career, a claim he repeated in 2005 during an interview with Bryant Gumbel. When asked if he still smoked, he said, “I might. I might have fun . . . hopefully . . . I won’t get into any trouble by the NFL by saying that, you know?”
MICHAEL VICK
Long beloved by dog lovers and pet owners (we’re kidding!), Michael Vick has had other things to worry about besides hate mail from PETA. In 2007, the Associated Press reported, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback tested positive for marijuana. This led to the beleaguered athlete to undergo increased electronic monitoring and random drug tests.
SANTONIO HOLMES
Santonio Holmes, a receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was charged with misdemeanor possession in 2008, the Associated Press reported, after officers reported smelling marijuana and found cannabis-filled cigars in Holmes’ vehicle. In 2010, a “wake n bak” comment was posted on Holmes’ Twitter account. In true Anthony Weiner fashion, Holmes claimed his tweets had been hacked and someone else had posted the comment.
Published with special permission from Culture
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