Last season, the league nearly suspended Seattle Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman four games for his use of Adderall, a prescription stimulant often given to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD). Sherman appealed the four-game ban and won, which allowed him to continue playing.
In a report by Mike Beamish of the Vancouver Sun, Sherman stated that the NFL should lift the ban on Adderall and that he estimated about half of NFL players use the prescription stimulant.
“About half the league takes [Adderall] and the league has to allow it. The league made a mistake in my case. Obviously, I didn’t do anything, but you have to go through a process to prove you didn’t do anything. There are still naysayers out there who don’t believe me. But I accept it. If everybody loves you, it probably means you’re not much of a player.”
The NFL has responded to Sherman’s comment in a TMZ report.
“The comments are ill-informed and inaccurate. Adderall is easily detected under current testing and will result in a suspension absent an approved therapeutic use exemption,” the NFL spokesperson told TMZ. “ If his statement were true, we would be seeing many more positive tests and suspensions. More importantly, his comments are irresponsible, as they ignore the serious medical risks and documented public health crisis associated with the improper use of Adderall and similar drugs.”
Use of Adderall and other prescription stimulants are still banned, and any player who uses these drugs will draw a suspension by NFL officials. While the drugs are not illegal to use, there is controversy about the competitive advantage that taking these medications can bring. The benefit of Adderall is that it enables the user to feel enhanced feelings of concentration and focus while the drug is in effect.
As of now, the only way in which players can used the banned substance is through the league’s therapeutic-use exemption
