The NFL’s THC Conundrum: Randy Gregory’s Fight for Reasonable Accommodation
Randy Gregory, the former Broncos outside linebacker, has filed a lawsuit against the NFL and the Denver Broncos, alleging discrimination for being fined over $500,000 in the past year-plus for taking medications for his disabilities, including social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Gregory, who was prescribed Dronabinol to help address his conditions, claims that the league and club’s unwillingness to provide reasonable accommodation due to his disabilities is discriminatory under Colorado law. He is seeking damages.
“This is a serious effort by Randy to push the NFL forward on alternative methods for pain management options,” Gregory’s agent, Peter Schaffer, said. “If a doctor prescribes hydrocodone, that’s completely legal and much worse for the player, yet the player doesn’t get suspended or fined. Randy’s not trying to buck the system, but he’s paying $500,000 in fines for something that anybody else in the state of Colorado can do.”
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Spencer Kontik of Kontnik Cohen, claims Gregory requested an accommodation and didn’t receive it from the league. He first sought permission in March 2023 from the Broncos and NFL to use Dronabinol during non-work hours and was denied. In May 2023, Schaffer requested a therapeutic use exception and Gregory was again denied.
In other NFL news, the Carolina Panthers are reportedly expected to sign Daewood Davis, a wide receiver for the UFL’s Memphis Showboats. Davis, who played for Oregon from 2017 to 2020 and Western Kentucky from 2021-2022, was named to the All-UFL team this season.
The 25-year-old signed with the Miami Dolphins after going undrafted in 2023 but was waived after suffering an injury that left him hospitalized during a preseason game in August.
“The Panthers are hoping Davis can give them a boost on offense after going a league-worst 2-15 a season ago,” a source said.
The Panthers retained top pass catcher Adam Thielen, who had 1,014 passing yards last year, but lost its second-leading receiver DJ Chark Jr. in free agency this offseason. They also got another talented receiver in South Carolina’s Xavier Legette in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, and adding Davis rounds out the position heading into the season.
The NFL’s stance on THC use has been a topic of controversy in recent years. While players are no longer suspended for testing positive for THC, it is still a banned substance by the league and positive tests are subject to fine. The league’s unwillingness to accommodate players with disabilities has sparked outrage among fans and players alike.
Gregory’s lawsuit is a step in the right direction, pushing the NFL to reevaluate its stance on THC use and its treatment of players with disabilities.
The NFL has not returned a request for comment.
The Broncos declined comment when contacted.
The lawsuit is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the NFL’s stance on THC use and its treatment of players with disabilities.
As the NFL continues to grapple with the issue, one thing is clear: the league must do better to accommodate its players with disabilities.
It’s time for the NFL to take a step in the right direction and provide reasonable accommodation for its players.
The future of the NFL depends on it.
