Key facts
- Thomas Davis, a former Carolina Panthers linebacker, has revealed his opioid addiction.
- Davis stated his addiction led to his divorce and tarnished his reputation.
- The addiction is linked to a drug case involving a self-styled healer and other pro-athlete clients.
- Davis previously received a four-game suspension in 2018 for violating the NFL's performance-enhancer policy.
Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis has revealed his struggle with opioid addiction, which he stated contributed to his divorce and the tarnishing of his once-pristine reputation. Davis, a father of four, discussed his drug problem publicly for the first time on The Pivot Podcast, expressing that his actions made it difficult for his children to be proud of him.
Davis' addiction reportedly stemmed from prescriptions filled to feed his dependency, leading to a sprawling drug case involving Joan Rubinger, a self-styled healer who listed Davis among her dozens of high-profile pro-athlete clients. Davis, known for his toughness and multiple comebacks from ACL tears, played the first 14 of his 16 NFL seasons with the Panthers. He was honored as the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2014 for his community work and on-field performance.
The first public indication of trouble came in 2018 when Davis received a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancer policy. He played his final seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders. During his time with the Commanders, the team's head trainer was found to have been illegally distributing oxycodone to players. The NFL itself faced a lawsuit accusing teams of over-prescribing opioids, which was dismissed in 2023 due to its sprawling nature. A study mentioned in the context indicated that 52% of former players reported opioid use.