ecome addicted to vicodin. Vicodin is a powerful painkiller causing it to be twice as dangerous when used with alcohol. Most players in the NFL drink occasionally and probably while taking vicodin. This drug is tough for the NFL to monitor. This is because it is legal for the players to use. Excessive amounts cannot even be picked up in a drug test. The league could help conquer this problem by requiring every team to have mandatory team meetings. During these meeting, teams could educate their players on the effects of vicodin and other drugs. These meeting could help players like Jim Miller avoid careless suspensions.Employers should educate their employees annually on possible acts that could lead to termination or suspension of their employment. This would educate employees on possible acts causing dismissal from their positions. The NFL should require every team to have mandatory annual meeting and films on the effects and consequences of all kinds of drugs (this would at least remind players of the reasons they are in professional sports and how much dedication it took to get there). Many players are not educated on certain drugs and the consequences of using them. If the NFL would educate the players, they could avoid being sued by them. Walt Sweeney, a former All-Pro guard for the San Diego Chargers sued the NFL for pushing painkillers on him during his playing career. He blamed the NFL for forcing him to become an addict. He won in court and the NFL was ordered to pay him $1.8 million (www.cbs.com). This is not only the NFL’s fault. Players are taught in junior high to play hurt, push their pain, and never give up. This is a law of being an athlete, and if painkillers are needed, that becomes a player’s prerogative. The player’s need to be taught how to use them correctly and monitored on the amount they take before they rely on them to play. If the player’s do get addicted, they need s...
