Randy Gregory, an NFL player currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has filed a lawsuit against the NFL and the Denver Broncos. He claims that he was fined $532,500 for taking medication containing THC to treat his disabilities while in Denver. Despite being prescribed Dronabinol for social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders, Gregory alleges that he was denied accommodations to use this medicine. The lawsuit was filed in Arapahoe County District Court this week.
Both the NFL and the Broncos have refrained from commenting on Gregory’s lawsuit when contacted by The Associated Press. It is noted that the NFL no longer suspends players for testing positive for THC, but fines can still be imposed for the use of substances like tetrahydrocannabinol. While the Broncos are named in the lawsuit, it is clarified that teams do not have a direct role in the fining of players for drug policy violations.
According to the complaint, Gregory was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder in 2021 and post-traumatic stress disorder in February 2023. Despite his medical conditions, his request to use Dronabinol during non-work hours was denied by both the Broncos and the NFL in March 2023. Even a therapeutic use exemption requested by his agent in May 2023 was turned down. This led to Gregory being fined $532,500 for repeated positive THC tests starting from March 2023.
The crux of Gregory’s lawsuit revolves around the discrimination he claims to have faced due to his disabilities. He asserts that the league and the club failed to provide him with proper accommodations for his medical conditions, which he views as a violation of Colorado law. Despite his on-field achievements and contributions over seven NFL seasons, including 22 career sacks, Gregory is highlighting the challenges he has encountered in receiving support for his mental health issues.
Randy Gregory was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons with the Cowboys, where he faced multiple suspensions for violating the league’s drug policies. After a stint with the Denver Broncos in 2022, marred by a knee injury, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. Currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gregory signed a one-year deal with the team earlier this year. Despite his talent and experience in the league, Gregory’s legal battle sheds light on the complexities faced by athletes dealing with mental health challenges in professional sports.
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