Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The recent Aaron Rodgers appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" has certainly created a buzz. Notably, Rodgers is drawing criticism on social media for his COVID-19 stance. However, one interesting thing that he also admitted during the interview was that he once played a game while on Percocet. 

According to Northern Illinois University, “Percocet, commonly known as a ‘perc,’ is a powerful opioid pain medication made from two main ingredients: Oxycodone and acetaminophen.” Percocet is very addictive and can easily be abused.

Why did Aaron Rodgers take Percocet before games?

According to Rodgers, “[I played] on Percocet. It was more for pain management, so I wasn’t taking any high dosage, but stupid, ultimately. Here’s the thing: I had knee issues for a long time, and you take anti-inflammatories. You’re taking anti-inflammatories, they all come with a warning. If you take this more than a few weeks, you’ve gotta get your blood tested because it can do damage to your liver. There are so many things you can take now, anti-inflammatory things, that are natural, that don’t cause damage to your body,”

Rodgers never specified which game he played while on the drug. However, it can be determined that it was prior to 2020. That was the year that he had his no famed trek to Peru for his ayahuasca experience. Since then, Rodgers has been very cautious about what he puts into his body.

Playing on painkillers used to be common practice

Rodgers continued, “The pain management, especially with our sport, is fascinating to see how things are ‘treated.’ I use quotations on treated because, up until probably a decade ago, it was easily accessible to get oxy, Percocet, Vicodin, whatever you wanted…you played [on painkillers], definitely.” 

Packers fans are already familiar with Brett Favre’s fight with addiction to painkillers. Fortunately, the NFL is using less addictive treatments for pain now.

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