Ex-NFL lineman: I was high for 'some of the best games I ever played'

As marijuana use continues to be a hot-button topic in the football world, with many suggesting that the league is behind the times with its drug policy, a revelation from a former player is only adding to the intrigue.

Eben Britton, an offensive lineman who played with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears over six seasons from 2009-2014, told Michael Kaplan of the New York Post that he was high for three games during his NFL career.

Not only did he take the field while stoned, but Britton says those instances led to particularly strong performances.

"NFL games I played stoned were some of the best games I ever played. Cannabis cements your surroundings," Britton explained. "A lot of people say they're useless when they smoke weed. But hell, I played NFL games (while stoned), dude. My performances were solid and I felt really good after."

Britton likely wasn't the first player to take the field while high, and he almost certainly won't be the last, either. While marijuana remains on the list of banned substances, use of which has long been thought to be prevalent around the league.

The relative ease with which players can work around their testing schedules - at least for those who haven't already been placed in the drug program - makes it entirely possible to avoid any and all violations.

The NFL will never advocate for the use of marijuana prior to a game, but any leniency with this issue over time will presumably come as a result of the continued research into the benefits of marijuana when it comes to pain management.

Recently retired lineman Eugene Monroe has been one of the leaders in this movement, advocating for the league to reconsider its approach, and allow for medical marijuana use as an alternative to more addictive pain killers and opioids.