Medication used by a football player to treat his seizures will make him ineligible to play, according to the NCAA.
C.J. Harris, who is a senior safety at Warner Robins High School in Georgia, received a dream offer when Auburn asked him to be a preferred walk-on at the school, WGXA reports. It now appears that his dream may not become a reality.
While in high school, Harris suffered multiple seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. He tried several medication to control the seizures, but it wasn’t until a doctor prescribed him cannabis oil that he found something that worked.
The good news is the cannabis oil has prevented him from having any further seizures since he began using it. The bad news is the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his system would prevent Harris from passing an NCAA drug test.
Auburn’s staff took a closer look at the matter and informed Harris’ father about the disappointing news. Harris’ father recalled the disappointment of having to tell his son the news.
“You’re taking something away from a kid who’s worked so hard in his life to get there,” Harris says he told his son, via WXGA. “And you’re just taking it away because he’s taking a medication that’s helping with his disability.”
If Harris wants to continue his dream of playing NCAA football, he will have to find a medication that prevents seizures without causing him to fail a drug test. He could also consider playing at a junior college or NAIA program. Obviously Harris’ health is of optimum importance. Hopefully there will be a resolution that involves both keeping the seizures under control and allowing Harris to continue doing what he loves at his dream school.
