During my brief three years immersed in NFL locker rooms from around the league, I can say that medical protocol, specifically surrounding the nature of the distribution of medicine, always felt like the Wild West.
At the time, I always looked at the liberal, carefree nature in which medicine was handed out as one of the perks of the job. Despite this, things never felt like they were out of control or being abused relative to the stresses and pain endured from the sport.
During the early years of my football career, I found myself relying upon a drug that was a combination of aspirin and caffeine, known simply as Pain-Off. The title alone is quite telling of the professional football world.