NFL's Ray Lucas Talks About His Opiate Addiction With Aberdeen Teens

ABERDEEN, NJ — Last Thursday, former NFL quarterback Ray Lucas gave a talk to student-athletes at Matawan Regional High School, where he told the teens that anyone — of any race, any age and any income level — can become addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The man speaks from experience.

Lucas is a former star quarterback at Rutgers University. He went on to enjoy an eight-year career in the NFL. It was in the NFL — the height of his career, wealth and fame — that his addiction to prescription painkiller began.

“Addiction does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone at any time" Lucas told the teens.

Lucas told the teens how his addiction started: Playing football for decades started to take a toll. After he sustained numerous injuries and underwent more than a dozen surgeries during his playing career and even in retirement, he became dependent on prescription opioids. At times, Lucas found himself taking more than 1,400 pills a month.

Lucas is a true hero, as he often gives open and honest talks about his addiction and recovery with teens, Boy Scouts and church groups.

The former pro footballer says he wants to prevent youth athletes from going down the path to addiction.

He also encouraged the teens to be careful with opiate pain medication, which teens are commonly prescribed by doctors, although many doctors today have started reducing how often they prescribe it.

“Injuries happen in high school sports, so make sure to ask the questions about what you are being prescribed for pain and ask for help if you need it,” said Lucas.

The event was billed as a "Student-Athlete Town Hall." Student-athletes in America have an elevated risk of opioid use as sports injuries send more than 2.6 million children to emergency rooms every year, according to the CDC.

Lucas' talk was organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, in collaboration with the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).

His talk was the seventh of 10 events to be held for New Jersey high school students through the 2022-23 school year.