Eugene Monroe: I will never stop pushing for medical marijuana
Eugene Monroe finds himself looking for a new team ahead of training camp after being released by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday.
The veteran offensive lineman released a statement addressing his situation Thursday, both touching on his playing status and reiterating his stance on the need for the NFL to allow players to use medical marijuana.
From Monroe's official Twitter account:
I will not be returning to the Ravens this season. It's never easy moving on - I love Baltimore and its fans - but this is all part of the game. Despite the current uncertainties, one thing is for sure: whatever happens in terms of my professional football career, I will never stop pushing for the League to accept medical cannabis as a viable option for pain management. I will do everything I can to ensure the generations of NFL players after me won't have to resort to harmful and addictive opioids as their only option for pain management. I've been working hard this offseason to recover from my injuries. I am cleared to play and excited to get back on the field and compete.
Monroe became the first NFL player to speak out in favor of medical marijuana this offseason and further explained the issue in a piece for the Players' Tribune.
Though it's unclear whether his position directly contributed to Baltimore's decision on his roster spot, the team didn't appear supportive of Monroe in that regard.
Head coach John Harbaugh said at the NFL owners meetings in March that Monroe "does not speak for the organization" on that issue. Monroe then suggested last week that the Ravens were distancing themselves from him.
@Ravens continue to distance themselves from me and my cause. I invite you all to do some research. I won't stop. This is for my brothers
— Eugene Monroe (@MrEugeneMonroe) June 10, 2016
Monroe officially becomes a free agent after trade talks with the New York Giants reportedly fell through. The Giants can be expected to pursue his services on the open market, but there will likely be several other teams with interest now that he's free to sign elsewhere.
The 29-year-old has started 90 games across seven seasons after joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as a first-round pick in 2009.