Randy Gregory Sues Denver Broncos and NFL for THC Fines Totalling over $500,000

Current edge rusher for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Randy Gregory is now suing the NFL and one of his former teams, the Denver Broncos, for punishments that came as a result of his THC use.

Gregory, who also played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, has had a career riddled by fines and suspensions regarding THC use.

There is a reason Randy Gregory is suing the Denver Broncos out of all the teams he got in trouble with

While Randy Gregory is most known for his troubles with THC that came right as he entered the league after being drafted by the Cowboys, he is choosing to sue the Broncos.

The reason he is choosing to sue the Broncos has to do with the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. Gregory and his legal team are making the argument that he needs THC to treat disabilities. The disabilities include social anxiety disorder and PTSD. The specifics of the argument are detailed in the civil complaint from Pro Football Talk.

“Mr. Gregory requested an accommodation from the NFL and Broncos to consume Dronabinol to treat his disabilities,” the civil complaint alleges. “Specifically, Mr. Gregory sought to consume Dronabinol, which is synthetic cannabis, at the direction of his treating physician during non-work hours. The NFL and the Broncos denied his request noting that THC is a federally controlled substance.

“Since requesting an accommodation, Mr. Gregory has paid $532,500 in penalties to the NFL for consuming THC to treat his disabilities. Regardless of a positive test, Mr. Gregory is expected to play in every game, attend practice, attend media sessions, and fulfil his job responsibilities. In other words, he cannot be suspended for a positive test alone. Significantly, the NFL and the Broncos profited from Mr. Gregory’s continued employment.”

While the NFL itself is responsible for dulling out the fines Gregory had to pay, the argument Gregory is making is that his employer, who was the Broncos, is responsible for the accommodation of his disabilities.

Randy Gregory can be an impact player when on the field, at least the Tampa Bay Buccaneers think so

The 2023 season was the first time that Gregory played in more than 14 games in a season. Despite his struggles with staying on the field, Gregory has shown he can be an impact player when he does play.

Gregory has amassed 22 sacks throughout his career along with 117 tackles. It has been hard for Gregory to get into any rhythm throughout his career and he is more of a rotational contributor at this point in his career. He was able to contribute to the 49ers’ Super Bowl run after being traded to them by the Broncos for a 2024 sixth-round pick.

Here’s former Bronco Randy Gregory immediately getting a sack and helping a different team as soon as the Broncos gave up on him pic.twitter.com/pweniRXTGb

— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) October 15, 2023

Randy Gregory showed immense amounts of promise coming out of college as a Nebraska Cornhuskers star

Randy Gregory was dominant as an edge rusher for the Nebraska Cornhuskers which is what resulted in him getting drafted by the Cowboys.

In just 24 games with the Huskers, Gregory amassed 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 119 total tackles.

Gregory was a quintessential game-wrecking edge rusher who brought an attitude to the Cornhuskers defense that hasn’t been seen since. Most fans remember his game-breaking performance against the Miami Hurricanes at the beginning of the season wherein Gregory had seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Play of the Day: Randy Gregory sack vs Miami as Memorial Stadium ERUPTS (2014)#Huskers @HuskGuys @RandyGregory_4 pic.twitter.com/PpLtw0b16a

— Huskers Top Plays (@HuskersTopPlays) August 16, 2022

I just ran across this massive block from Randy Gregory in 2014.

Safe to say there’s a reason he’s playing in the SB. pic.twitter.com/PXs0hi3Yj7

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟒𝟎𝟐 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 (@The402Boneyard) February 3, 2024

Gregory will look for a career resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season after signing with them this offseason. While he never lived up to what Nebraska fans thought he could be due to his struggles with the NFL’s THC rules, Gregory can still be a meaningful contributor to an NFL team.

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