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Court papers revealed that majority of NFL players were recklessly given painkillers that can potentially affect their performance. NFL players were given opioids, which serves as their painkiller. Opioid is one of the major causes of death in the United States.

Medications containing opioids affects the area of the brain that triggers pain and emotions. The drug increases the part of the brain that releases dopamine, which is commonly referred to as the feel food hormone.

The CNN reports that lawsuits filed against the National Football League (NFL) mentioned about a majority of the players being recklessly given pain killers. The court documents only played a small role in regards to the players' complaints back in 2015.

More 1,800 football players filed a complaint, stating that their coaches, doctors, and trainers gave them narcotics and drugs out of negligence. The players were given high doses of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to keep them playing despite the injury.

 "Players are not informed of the long-term health effects of taking controlled substances and prescription medications in the amounts given to them," part of the complaint stated. "

It was also mentioned that prescribing the football players with opioids can potentially do more harm than good as cases of opioid-overdose has been rampant all throughout the years. In 2006, a memo was sent by the Eric Sugarman, the head trainer of the Minnesota Vikings, who voiced out his concerns regarding his players as they were given a high dosage of painkillers.

NFL reportedly released a total of 5,777 doses of anti-inflammatory drugs and 2,270 doses of narcotic drugs for the entire year of 2012. The plaintiffs' attorneys mentioned that the doctors and trainers are already breaking the law with their excessive opioid prescription.

Despite the fact overdose cases continually increase, it was mentioned that users are still consuming the high-powered painkiller.