According to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post, eight-year veteran and new Bucs outside linebacker Randy Gregory is suing in the NFL. Randy Gregory filed the lawsuit, alleging that the league discriminated against him by fining him over $500,000 for using a medication that contains THC and benefits persons with different kinds of infirmities.
According to the article, Randy Gregory was using the medication Dronabinol, which is used to treat PTSD and social anxiety disorders. The fundamental problem with all of this is that, even though the NFL no longer forbids THC, players still face sanctions in the event that they test positive for the drug. Before being traded to the 49ers and competing in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs, Gregory started his career with the Cowboys and played for the Broncos in 2022 and four games in 2023. The Bucs signed him this offseason after that.
The timetable provided by the Post claims that the league twice refused to allow Randy Gregory to take the substance. The first request was made in March 2023 to be used outside of work hours, while the second was a request for a therapeutic exemption. He was hit with a $532,500 punishment for consistently testing positive for THC.
Bucs OLB Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes with Randy Gregory. Image courtesy of USA Today
The NFL has suspended Gregory many times for substance abuse violations; the suspensions included 14 games in the 2016 season, the entire 2017 season, and the first six games of the 2020 season.
According to a portion of the lawsuit, the league neglected to make reasonable adjustments for his social anxiety condition and post-traumatic stress disorder, which were identified by doctors.In 2021, the former was diagnosed, and in 2023, the latter. Last Monday, the lawsuit was submitted to the Arapahoe County District Court.
This is what Randy Gregory’s lawyer, Peter Schaffer, had to say.
Schaffer stated, “Randy is making a sincere attempt to advance the NFL’s options for alternative pain management techniques.” “It is quite legal and far worse for the athlete if a doctor prescribes hydrocodone, but the player is not punished or suspended. Randy is paying $500,000 in fines for something that anybody else in the state of Colorado may do; he is not attempting to circumvent the law. All we ask for is a reasonable accommodation so that Randy may receive the care he needs from his treating physician despite his handicap.
See the whole Denver Post story for the complete narrative with court records.
Randy Gregory Has A New Start With The Bucs
With the Bucs, Randy Gregory is starting a new chapter in his NFL career while the legal processes play out. Gregory has not attended OTA workouts on days when the media is permitted, so we have not yet seen him in a Bucs uniform.
Gregory will face off against veteran Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson, second-year players Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, and rookie Chris Braswell, who was selected in the second round, if it is assumed that Yaya Diaby would only take one starting position. The Bucs are likely to use a rotation at outside linebacker since Tampa Bay usually prefers to keep its pass rushers healthy. For many of these players, it’s a fantastic chance to step up and maintain a steady pass rush.
