Top NFL Prospect Randy Gregory Fails Drug Test at NFL Combine

And the Dummy of the Day Award goes to NFL prospect Randy Gregory. Gregory, who was a former outside linebacker at Nebraska, tested positive for marijuana at this year’s NFL Combine. The drug test was administered during the Combine back in February but he only found out two weeks ago that he had failed, with the information being made public today. Coming into the draft, Gregory was projected by many to be a top ten pick. With his speed, versatility, and explosiveness, he is a player that was being coveted by many teams in need of a pass rusher. Now that teams are aware of his drug use, it could take a toll on his draft stock, which more importantly could then affect how much money he makes off of his rookie contract.

This is not Gregory’s first time having issues with marijuana. Back in college, he failed two different drug tests in 2014 and was almost dismissed from the team. His marijuana use was something that NFL teams were aware of before today and a topic that many actually asked Gregory about during the Combine. He is adamant that he is getting better as a person and a player and that he is fully focused on football but this failed drug test says otherwise. On top of that, when Gregory enters the NFL, he will already be in Stage 1 of the league’s substance abuse program, which usually results in an increase in drug tests and overall monitoring. “I blame myself,” Gregory said in a statement to NFL.com. “And I know it sounds cliché, but there’s really no one else I can blame.”

Now the issue is not so much that he failed a drug test because realistically speaking, many athletes participate in “recreational activities” in their free time and it doesn’t really matter one way or the other. But to fail a drug test that you know is coming when it could seriously impact your future is a real dumb move. Luckily for him, he is an extremely talented player and while his draft stock might drop a little, it won’t be drastic. I’m sure there are a number of teams out there willing to overlook a bad off-the-field habit for all the physicalities he brings on the field. Gregory is confident that it’ll all work out in the end despite his latest setback and I’m sure it will. But to him and all the other NFL prospects out there, please don’t jeopardize your career before you even begin it.