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The drug problem in the National Football League (NFL) has been an open secret. Several former players have had drug abuse cases of prescription drugs but the NFL has never had a major scandal break out because of this. However in 2010, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began scrutinizing the league and its handling of prescription drugs after a player from the San Diego Chargers was caught with 100 doses of Vicodin. 

NFL Violated Federal Laws

According to New York Daily News, a report stemming from sealed court documents, NFL team doctors are portrayed as willfully remiss in their practices of how to store, distribute, or track prescription drugs and painkillers. These court documents from a federal case currently being heard were composed of testimonies from team doctors, trainers, and former NFL players.

It was found out that these prescription and controlled substances were handled and distributed by the team trainers. A team trainer's testimony in the documents showed that some doctors give players drugs without them knowing what it was or what the side-effects were.

Other players also reported of being given Toradol because they asked for it. These drugs were also dispensed at locations where they were not permitted to do so. 

So Why Did They Do It?

NFL players were also reportedly saying that they took the prescription drugs to keep themselves on the field and had them prior to games to stave off any pain they might feel while working. Retired players also concur with the report (via Washington Post).

As gleaned from a study, there were a number of instances that they obtained these prescription pills from a non-medical source, be it a teammate, a trainer, or coach State and federal laws only allows a doctor who can write a prescription to distribute controlled substances.

What Did The NFL Say?

The league spokesman Brian McCarthy dismissed the court filings as meritless and that they will continue to fight against these claims.