Ex-player calls for relaxed marijuana policy

Ryan O’Callaghan, who said he developed an addiction to painkillers that helped him deal with injuries during his NFL career, told USA TODAY Sports he uses marijuana to treat the pain and thinks the league should change its policy prohibiting players from using the drug.

“For people like me, marijuana is a godsend, because you don’t want to take these pills,” said O’Callaghan, 34. “Marijuana is not addicting. People who say that have never smoked it. I have an addictive personality. It’s not addictive.”

Of the NFL’s stance on marijuana, O’Callaghan said, “They know it’s harmless, and it’s not performance enhancing. I’ve known guys who’ve played stoned. Absolutely.

“The NFL can be stressful, and there’s not a lot you can do. Smoking a joint’s pretty harmless. It really is. Don’t tell the Attorney General that, but it’s very harmless.”

In 2011, O’Callaghan said, he sought treatment for addiction and stopped using painkillers after he disclosed to a therapist that he was gay. He publicly acknowledged he was gay in a story that was published June 20.

O’Callaghan, who played offensive tackle for the New England Patriots from 2006 to 2008 and for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009 to 2011, said he has a medi- cal marijuana card and sometimes also takes Ibuprofen for his injuries. He said his left shoulder needs to be replaced after five operations and he had surgery on his right shoulder and left hand.

When he climbs into his truck, O’Callaghan lifts his left leg because of a lingering groin injury suffered during his NFL career.

“My body hurts like hell because of football,” he said.