Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis has admitted to becoming addicted to opioids, which he says took a heavy toll on his personal life and career. His ex-wife, Kelly Davis, accused "pain doctor" Joan Rubinger of fueling his addiction, leading to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation in 2022. The investigation revealed that Davis received more than 13,000 Oxycodone and Percocet pills from November 2019 to March 2024. This incident damaged his reputation and led to the breakup of his family, reports infohub.kz.
Davis was known for his remarkable comebacks from injuries, including being the first and only NFL player to play after tearing the same ACL three times. He famously played in the 2016 Super Bowl with a broken arm. However, these comebacks took a toll on his body and led to his opioid addiction. Davis blames this addiction for his divorce and tarnished reputation.
The pinnacle of Davis's career was in 2014 when he was named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year. He was also a first-team All-Pro in 2015 and a three-time Pro Bowler. In 2018, he was suspended four games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancer policy after testing positive for a banned estrogen blocker. Davis did not protest the ban, but it altered his retirement plans.
In 2020, the head trainer of the Washington Commanders was found to have illegally distributed oxycodone to players, highlighting the NFL's troubled history with painkillers. The league spent about 10 years defending a lawsuit accusing teams of over-prescribing opioids, which was dismissed in 2023. Studies show that 52% of former players used prescription opioids during their careers.
Today, Davis is still seen around the Panthers facility, but he acknowledges he has learned from his downfall. He says he has received the help he needs and is focused on improving his relationship with his children, including his eldest son, Thomas Davis Jr., who plays at Notre Dame. Davis takes full responsibility for his actions but recognizes the factors that led him to this point.