A Humorous Reunion: Pacman Jones and Deion Sanders
During this year’s Super Bowl week, one of the most entertaining guests on PFT Live was definitely the former NFL defensive back, Pacman Jones. Another favorite was Deion Sanders, now the head coach at the University of Colorado. The dynamic duo reunited for an episode of Deion’s Tubi show, "We Got Time Today," where they engaged in a conversation that, while light-hearted, delved into some serious and controversial topics.
Pacman’s Audacious Claim
In one particularly eyebrow-raising moment, Pacman Jones made a bold assertion about his past dealings with the NFL’s drug-testing protocols. “I cheated the program,” Jones said, according to Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today. “Like, I was really good. People don’t know how smart I am, but like, I can say it now. I don’t play no more. But like, I’ve never used my [urine] for a [urine] test. Not one time. Not one time.” (Forgive us, folks, for using the word "piss" if that’s what he said; it’s just a part of the story, and it won’t send you to hell for it.)
Deion’s Skepticism
Deion Sanders, known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude, was quick to counter Jones’s claim. “Can’t happen today,” Sanders said, referring to the stringent measures in place to prevent such antics. Jones, however, was equally adamant and insisted that it was still possible. “It can happen if you know what you’re doing,” Jones responded. “Don’t say it can’t happen, Pop. Hey, Pop, don’t say it can’t happen.”
The Evolution of Drug Testing
Sanders’s point about the current protocols was not without merit. Today, sample collectors do indeed go into the bathroom with players to ensure that the samples are legitimate. “The reason it can’t [is] because they go in there with you right now,” Sanders explained. “They go in there and watch you pull out.” Despite this, Jones remained confident that with the right knowledge and strategy, one could still bypass the system. “You still can get them,” he insisted. Deion, perhaps wisely, decided to end the conversation before Jones could elaborate on his alleged methods.
A Nod to the Past
It’s worth noting that Jones’s claim is not entirely baseless. In 2005, former NFL running back Onterrio Smith was famously caught at an airport with a "Whizzinator" — a fake penis designed to dispense clean urine. Such devices were a notorious part of the drug-testing evasion toolkit in the past, and while the league has tightened its security, the lore of these gadgets lives on in the annals of NFL history.
The Modern Perspective
Nowadays, the stigma around marijuana use in sports is significantly diminished, and Pacman Jones is a vocal advocate for its legalization. “They’re giving guys opiates, pain pills, muscle relaxers,” Jones pointed out. “You’re telling me that a guy that’s smoking THC, that it’s helping him perform more, or are you telling me is it helping his body? . . . I’m all for the weed.” His point is well taken. With marijuana legal for medical or recreational use in 37 states, it seems only logical that the NFL would consider relaxing its stance on the drug, especially given its potential to help players manage pain and recover from the grueling 17-week football season.
A Call for Change
While the NFL has made strides in decriminalizing marijuana under its substance-abuse policy, Pacman Jones’s sentiment suggests that the league could go further. As he put it, “Smoke ’em if you got ’em.” This sentiment reflects a growing trend in sports and society at large, where the harmful effects of marijuana are increasingly being weighed against the benefits it offers, particularly in pain management and recovery. The NFL, which has long been criticized for its over-reliance on opioids and other potentially dangerous medications, might find that embracing marijuana is a healthier and more practical approach for its players.
