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NFL players are at a much higher risk of becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol than people in most other professions. This is according to a research study published in the scientific journal titled "Drug and Alcohol Dependence."
It's an unfortunate issue that has plagued the NFL for many years.
One of the main factors for this league-wide problem is the extremely violent nature of the game. Players are susceptible to a wide range of injuries which frequently require them to undergo surgery and complex recovery processes.
These types of situations have reportedly contributed to addiction as a side effect of the prescribed medications from the recovery process.
The good news is that many players who have struggled with substance abuse have gone to treatment facilities to seek help and deal with the issue. Most have significantly improved their situation this way and many of them have made full recoveries.
Here are five NFL players past and present who went to rehab:
#1 Darren Waller
Darren Waller admitted that he struggled with drugs and alcohol during his college football career, which forced him to enter multiple outpatient rehab facilities. He also claimed that he used to cheat his mandatory drug tests so he could continue playing and avoid disciplinary action.
Waller was suspended twice in his first three years with the Baltimore Ravens. He ultimately decided to check himself into inpatient rehab and claims to have been completely sober since then.
Waller currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders.
#2 Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor admitted to having a long battle with cocaine addiction that was present even during his legendary NFL career with the New York Giants. He claimed that he used to cheat drug tests to avoid suspension.
Despite manipulating the tests, Taylor was still caught several times by the NFL for failed drug tests and received suspensions and fines. He also attended multiple rehab programs during his playing career, with a minimum of three separate inpatient stays starting with the 1986 season.
#3 Josh Gordon
Josh Gordon has a long history of substance abuse issues. He was initially suspended for a full year during his third season with the Cleveland Browns for a DUI, but had it reduced to 10 games. The wide receiver was then suspended for each of the next two seasons for separate violations of the league's substance abuse policy.
Gordon eventually checked himself into an inpatient rehab facility following his full two-year absence. However, he was suspended once again a year later due to the same issues.
In total, Gordon has been caught violating the league's substance abuse policy six times and has received suspensions for all of them.
#4 Maxx Crosby
Maxx Crosby admitted that alcoholism has been an issue for him throughout his life, including during both his high school and college football careers. The problem plagued him in the NFL as well before he decided to fully address it following the 2020 season.
Crosby stepped away from the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2021 offseason to check himself into an inpatient rehab facility. He then transitioned to a halfway house before rejoining the Raiders ahead of the 2021 season.
Crosby has claimed to have been sober since and implements many healthier living habits than he previously did.
#5 Brett Favre
Brett Favre checked into a mandatory inpatient rehab facility after he was caught violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Back then, he was the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.
Favre later admitted that he continued using painkillers after being released, including during the season he won the Super Bowl.
Favre claimed that he quit shortly afterwards because he felt his addiction was killing him. However, he continued to struggle with alcohol abuse after stopping his reliance on painkillers. The quarterback later attended another inaptient program to address the issue.
Favre has stated that he has been completely sober since then.
