Shannon Sharpe: 'I don’t know the NFL is too happy' with Aaron Rodgers

This past week, Aaron Rodgers went on the Audrey Marcus Podcast. The interview was different in that the focus was not primarily on sports. Of course, the Packers and football were discussed, but the interview was primarily about Aaron Rodgers’ journey to being the person that he is today. As many know by now, that journey included the use of psychedelic drugs. To be specific, Rodgers discussed having ayahuasca while in Peru.

In an interview with TMZ, Hall of Fame tight end and Fox sports personality Shannon Sharpe he said that Aaron Rodgers may be getting a phone call from the NFL soon:

“I don’t know the NFL is too happy about him taking hallucinogenics [sic]. I’m sure the commissioner is going to reach out and have a conversation with him.”

Sharpe went on to say that he thought it was weird that Rodgers drank ayahuasca tea, but did not have a problem with it himself. “Whatever helps a person become a better person and find his inner self — I’m cool with it,” he said.

In short, the NFL cannot really do anything to Aaron Rodgers without a positive drug test. While Rodgers admitted to using the drug, he was also out of the country and passed every drug test he took since he returned. While Sharpe points out the NFL may feel it’s not a “good look,” there is really nothing they can do.

That being said, ayahuasca does contain a substance banned by the NFL. This substance, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, is also illegal in the United States. According to Medical News Today, “DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) is a hallucinogenic tryptamine drug that occurs naturally in many plants and animals. Some people call it the “spirit molecule” due to the intense psychedelic experience.”

Due to DMT being banned by the NFL and being illegal in the United States, the NFL commissioner may reach out, as Sharpe suggested. Or, he may not. There really is not anything the NFL can do without a positive drug test from Rodgers. 

If Rodgers does fail a drug test, though, as a result of any of his spiritual journeys, it should be noted that DMT is a Schedule I controlled substance. Other substances that are considered Schedule I are marijuana, heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. There have been significant suspensions handed out for Schedule I drug use by NFL players, most notably to Josh Gordon.