Randy Gregory sues NFL after being hit with fines totaling $532,500
Sep 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory (5) during the second half against the Houston Texans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Ex-Denver Broncos defensive end Randy Gregory has filed a lawsuit against both the NFL and his former team over allegedly unjust fines worth $532,500 for his use of medication containing THC, which is a cannabinoid found in marijuana.
Gregory filed the lawsuit on Wednesday in Arapahoe County, located about an hour away from Denver, Colo. In the complaint, Gregory claimed that he was prescribed the drug Dronabinol, which is used to treat social anxiety and PTSD. Gregory claimed that he was being discriminated against for trying to treat his mental health issues.
While the Broncos were named a defendant in the suit, Gregory’s agent Peter Schaffer clarified to the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson that their focus is primarily on getting reimbursement from the NFL. Gregory’s camp reportedly wants compensation and immunity from being fined for related reasons in the future.
“This has nothing really to do with the Broncos,” Schaffer told Tomasson. “This is really the NFL. Randy’s got a prescription in [Colorado] where marijuana is legal, and we’re trying to get a reasonable accommodation to treat his disabilities at the direction of his physician. If his physician says this is a legal pain management option and everybody else in the state can do it, why can’t Randy or any Broncos player?”
NFL teams like the Broncos are responsible for drug-testing players. However, it’s the NFL at large that imposes fines based on the drug test results.
The Broncos traded Gregory to the San Francisco 49ers after Week 4 last season. Gregory tallied 20 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks over 16 games played in 2023.
Gregory has had a history of violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He served several suspensions earlier in his career as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.