Steve Kerr expressed surprise and disappointment that his admission to using marijuana as a pain killer following back surgery became a headline story.
Kerr talked prior to the Golden State Warriors’ game on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns about the marijuana story. Kerr had multiple back surgeries last year, which led him to be sidelined for a good portion of the season. He needed a second surgery after having spinal fluid leak — something that is as uncomfortable as it sounds. The coach tried marijuana to help relieve the pain and was surprised that the whole thing turned into a story about him supposedly being a pot head.
“I was a little surprised at how it became kind of a big deal,” Kerr said Saturday. “The conversation was about pain relief in professional sports. The context of our conversation was about how professional sports should handle pain relief for players.
“I didn’t read a whole lot of stuff. I just saw various headlines. I get on websites to check on NBA news all the time, every day. And everyone had that headline. That part surprised me.”
Kerr explained how he tried marijuana for an answer to his back pain because he found the other pain-killing substances to be dangerous.
“[After back surgery] I had to do a lot of research. You get handed prescriptions for Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet. NFL players — that’s what they’re given. The stuff is awful, that stuff is dangerous. The addiction possibility. What it can lead to. The long-term health risks. The issue is ‘how do we do what is best for players?’
“But I understand that it’s a perception issue. The NFL, NBA — it’s a business. So you don’t want your customers thinking, ‘these guys are a bunch of potheads.’ But it’s only a matter of time before medicinal marijuana is allowed in sports leagues because the education will overwhelm the perception.”
As more and more states legalize marijuana, many think sports will begin to allow players to use the substance as a pain killer. Kerr thinks they should.
“The stuff they’re prescribing is really bad for you. I think it’s important to talk about it because I think it’s perception.
“I haven’t talked to many people about it, but I find it ironic that had I said I’ve used Oxycontin for relief for my back pain, it would not have been a headline.”
You can see video of Kerr’s comments below:
Steve Kerr explains his surprise that his marijuana use became a big deal, hopes dangers of pain-killers become the story (pt 1) pic.twitter.com/mOqVlUdX2r
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 4, 2016
Steve Kerr: "I find it ironic if I said I took OxyContin for relief, it would not have been a headline" pic.twitter.com/4dTPMcyrs6
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 4, 2016
