After a strange announcement about the secret to his success, NFL says Aaron Rodgers' ayahuasca use didn't violate drug policy. Plus, check out the 2022 college football preseason coaches poll, Packers rookie Walker makes starting linebacker, and more football news.
NFL says Aaron Rodgers didn't violate drug policy
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently spoke on a podcast about his off-season use of the hallucinogenic drink ayahuasca, a psychedelic, mind-altering substance. Rodgers credits the drink for his performance on the field, which has led to his being named NFL MVP for the last two consecutive seasons, despite being in his late 30s.
Rodgers claimed the Ayahuasca plant, which is found in South America, improved his mental health, CBSSports reported, saying it gave him "a deep and meaningful appreciation for life." In the aftermath of these confessions, the question arose of whether the usage of ayahuasca violated the NFL's drug policy.
On Monday, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said ayahuasca wouldn't have triggered a positive test result on either the substance abuse or performance-enhancing substance policies collectively bargained by the NFL and its players' association, ESPN reported.
2022 college football preseason coaches poll
With college football preseason underway, here is a ranking of the top 25 teams based on an annual preseason pulling of coaches, per CBSSports, and it's no surprise who ranked number one.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Clemson
5. Notre Dame
6. Michigan
7. Texas A&M
8. Utah
9. Oklahoma
10. Baylor
11. Oklahoma State
12. Oregon
13. North Carolina State
14. Michigan State
15. USC
16. Pittsburgh
17. Miami
18. Texas
19. Wake Forest
20. Wisconsin
21. Kentucky
22. Cincinnati
23. Arkansas
24. Ole Miss
25. Houston
Packers rookie Walker makes starting linebacker
Quay Walker, a former standout for the Georgia Bulldogs who was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft and 22nd pick overall, has been listed as a first-string linebacker on Green Bay's unofficial depth chart, Sports Illustrated reported.
"I'm just trying to get better and soak up as much knowledge as I can," Walker said. "I'm a rookie so I don't take no day for granted. All the reps that I'm getting while the guys are gone, I'm just trying to build my confidence, build on it as much as I can and go from there."
Bengals' stadium gets new name
The Cincinnati Bengals home field will no longer be known as Paul Brown Stadium; it will now be called Paycor Stadium. The franchise has sold the stadium naming rights to Cincinnati-based Paycor, a company that specializes in human resources, ESPN reported. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the agreement is for 16 years.