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Eagles Star Jason Kelce Decides to “Retire” if the NFL Bans the Pills He Relies On

Published 05/04/2023, 12:05 PM EDT

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The role of medication in professional sports has always been a topic for debate. LII Super Bowl champion Jason Kelce recently added fuel to the fire when he expressed concern about the potential NFL ban on pills. In a recent conversation with his brother, Travis Kelce, Jason revealed that losing his favorite pills would be a serious issue.

The Philadelphia star expressed how he relied on “pink pills” throughout his 13 years in the league. He even hinted at the possibility of taking drastic measures if he was unable to continue taking the pink pills.

Jason Kelce defends ‘pink pill’

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Athletes often rely on various medications and pills to manage pain and injury. In 2021, the NFLPA sent a memo to all active players about the use of pink pills a.k.a Toradol, a legal painkiller.

The NFLPA announcement was not unexpected, given that many NFL players have spoken about the widespread and detrimental use of Toradol in the league. However, in the recent episode of ‘New Heights’, brothers Jason and Travis Kelce disagreed with the statement.  Jason Kelce expressed his dismay about the idea of losing his favorite painkiller. My man, every freaking time, I will show over here giving pink pills a bad name. Pink pills had to help me get through 13 years,” he exclaimed.

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While Travis tried to convince Jason to come back to the original topic, exclaiming pills are not the only issue in the league, Jason was quick to defend his stance, arguing those trying to stop the use of ‘pink pills’ are just retired players who are out of touch with the realities. “All these guys trying to stop pink pills and all those, these are just guys that have been out of the league. Stop ruining it for people that are still playing…. imma have to retire”

However, Travis warned Jason not to take any of the pills out of anger, as it could have serious consequences.

The NFL’s Pink Pill controversy

In the mid-to-late 1990s, Toradol arrived on the scene in the NFL, earning approval from the Food and Drug Administration. However, despite its regulatory backing, certain players remain wary of its potential long-term impact on their health.

According to a 2017 survey by B/R Mag, 40 out of 50 players in the first-round playoff games expressed minimal concern, if any, about the enduring effects of Toradol. The majority of players tend to prioritize their on-field performance over potential health issues.

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Remarkably, 23 out of the 50 players surveyed admitted to having used Toradol for “years”. All 50 players agreed that the best time to ‘pop a pink pill’ is roughly an hour before their warm-up routine.

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Despite his reliance on ‘pink pills’, Jason did acknowledge the importance of other health practices. But for him, the pink pill is the key to his success on the field.

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Jason Kelce’s apprehension about a possible prohibition brings to light the complex relationship between sports performance and medication. Can athletes prioritize their health while also navigating the ambiguous terrain of medication usage in professional sports? Let us know in the comments below

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Written by:

Mohammad Asif Ansari

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Mohammad Asif Ansari is an NFL writer at EssentiallySports, with a passion for bringing sports news to life through engaging content. As an ardent sports fan, Ansari likes to cover core sports angles. His latest article, “Dallas Cowboys Reportedly Making It Difficult for Aaron Rodgers to Pursue His Dream Team” got a hoard of interested sports readers.
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Edited by:

Abigail Kevichusa