Offensive tackle Eugene Monroe’s advocacy for cannabis use in the NFL might have cost him a job, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to change his tune.
Monroe, who for some time has been an outspoken proponent of NFL players using marijuana, released the following statement after being cut by the Baltimore Ravens.
— Eugene Monroe (@MrEugeneMonroe) June 16, 2016
Earlier this offseason, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said “I promise you, he does not speak for the organization,” when asked about the offensive tackle’s cannabis advocacy, leading to some speculation that his support for marijuana in the game had something to do with his release. Monroe’s injury history and the arrival of first-round pick Ronnie Stanley likely also contributed to Baltimore’s decision to move on, but the 29-year-old tackle’s views on weed certainly don’t seem to have helped his cause.
@Ravens continue to distance themselves from me and my cause. I invite you all to do some research. I won't stop. This is for my brothers
— Eugene Monroe (@MrEugeneMonroe) June 10, 2016
Monroe isn’t ready to conclusive draw the connection between his release and his support for pot in the NFL, but he has his suspicions. Here’s what he told the New York Times:
“I can’t say for sure whether or not my stance on medical cannabis was the reason the Ravens released me. However, as I’ve said in the past, they have distanced themselves from me and made it clear that they do not support my advocacy.”
The idea of legalizing or even encouraging marijuana use in the NFL has seemed to gain momentum in recent years, with current and former players like Ricky Williams, Jake Plummer and Jim McMahon among the pro-pot chorus. But this incident with Monroe (and the suspensions of Josh Gordon and others) demonstrates that while we’re moving toward marijuana as a painkiller for football players, the league and its teams certainly aren’t ready to make that leap quite yet.
[ESPN]
