Randy Gregory Sues NFL, Broncos Over $500K fines For THC Use

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Randy Gregory is suing the NFL and the Denver Broncos, claiming discrimination over being fined $532,500 for taking medication containing THC for disabilities during his brief time in Denver.

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory was prescribed Dronabinol, denied accommodations

In the complaint filed this week in Arapahoe County District Court, the 31-year-old said he was prescribed Dronabinol for social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders but was denied accommodations to treat those disabilities with that medicine.

The NFL no longer suspends players who test positive for THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. However, it remains among the league’s banned substances subject to fines.

According to the Associated Press, the Broncos are named in the lawsuit, even though teams don’t levy fines against a player for violating the league’s drug policies. The NFL-NFLPA substances of abuse policy is collectively bargained and administered by a jointly appointed third-party medical professional, per AP.

The complaint said Gregory was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder in 2021 and with post-traumatic stress disorder in February 2023.

The Broncos and the NFL denied Gregory’s request in March 2023 to use Dronabinol during non-work hours. His agent, Peter Schaffer, requested a therapeutic use exemption two months later for Gregory, which also was denied.

Gregory has been fined $532,500 for repeated positive THC tests since March 2023

Per the complaint, Randy Gregory has been fined $532,500 for repeated positive THC tests since March 2023. The lawsuit asserts that both the NFL and Broncos committed discrimination under Colorado law by rejecting Gregory accommodations due to his disabilities.

Gregory was selected 60th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2015 draft out of Nebraska. The 6-foot-5, 242-pound linebacker played five seasons with Dallas. He was suspended multiple times for violating the NFL’s drug policies.

Although he signed with Denver in 2022, Gregory missed 11 games that season because of a knee injury. He split the 2023 season between the Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.

Last October, the Niners acquired Gregory and their 2024 seventh-round pick from the Broncos, in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick.

In 72 career games (18 starts) across seven NFL seasons, Gregory has amassed 22 sacks, one interception, 10 forced fumbles, and 117 combined tackles.

On April 3, he signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers.