Pain Killing Injections In Sport And NFL Pink Pill

NFL pink pill was an androgen and anabolic steroid Dianabol pill in the 1960s which was initially used by team Los Angeles Chargers.

Pink pills in NFL have since then come to mean painkillers. Speculations on Reddit believe it to be Toradol in pill form or a form of oxycodone.

Former linebacker Emmanuel Acho shared a video of his experience with the tablet and the T-shot on Twitter on February 26, 2023, after Byron Jones shared his story.

“I remember there was a pill, we called the Pink Pill while I was playing. I don’t even know what kind of drug it was, but essentially, it would like completely numb your pain. Now, later on, I heard it was maybe the combination of 10 ibuprofen or 10 Advil in one pill.”

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce poured out his frustration and annoyance in episode 37 in New Heights on May 4, 2023, about the idea of losing the capsules because retired players are speaking out against it. According to him, the tablets were what got him through thirteen years in the league. Without the capsules to help him get through practice and tournaments, Kelce confessed he may have to retire.

“You think I’m playing 13 years in the NFL on turmeric and beet juice? Get the out of here.”

NFL painkiller shot that is injected into football players for pain is Toradol and Marcaine.

Toradol, also known as Vitamin T and T-shot, was the primary shot that was injected in NFl according to Emmanuel Acho. It is used for temporary relief to treat moderate to severe pain. 

In the past, if any players hurt themselves, they would line up to pop the tablets before playing football on Sunday. As it was demanded that they play no matter what, the sportsmen would consume the medicine, not bothering to worry about the consequence. Their need to play outweighed the possible side effects that would come to haunt them in the future.

According to the athletes who took them for short-term relief, the pain would not completely go away but made it bearable enough to get through the game. The pain would come back the next day.

Acho has played through a torn groin and a torn MCL with the Vitamin T shot.

Former cornerback Byron Jones had the worst experience with the shots and medicine he was provided while he was an active player. On February 25, 2023, his tweets issued a warning to the players to be aware of the side effects and the long-term implications of the things they swallow or are injected with to minimize their injuries. 

“DO NOT take the pills they give you. DO NOT take the injections they give you. If you absolutely must, consult an outside doctor to learn the long-term implications.”

The use of it has declined in recent years. Teams now prescribe ibuprofen, Vicodin or OxyContin.

How Long Does A Toradol Shot Last

Toradol shot lasts in your body for 33 hours after which it would be completely eliminated from your system.

Ketorolac Tromethamine, sold under the brand name Toradol, has a half-life of 5 to 6 hours, during which time the body reduces the plasma levels by half. The factors that affect how long the T-shot lasts are 

• quantity and frequency you take the drug
• metabolic rate
• age and health
• body mass

NFL players can take painkillers during games but they usually pop them before the game or during halftime.

Football athletes have seen Toradol’s effectiveness most when taken on game day before warm-ups start.

For pain management, every athlete had their own routine before and after the game. While most took a Ketorolac Tromethamine shot before the game, it was not enough to get through the week. Some followed the Ketorolac shot by chomping on multiple Advil.

NFL veteran Matt Bowen did everything from taking Kodiak tobacco to downing Budweiser to manage the pain from the injuries sustained on the football field.

Banned substances in NFL are Anabolic agents, masking agents, and stimulants. A list of 190 supplements has been officially prohibited.

Anabolic agents account for more than 52% of total substances banned. It includes 71 anabolic and androgenic steroids, 8 protein and peptide hormones, 4 other anabolic agents including beta-2-agonists, 16 Anti-estrogenic agents, and selective androgen receptor modulators. 

23 masking agents have been prohibited by the NFL. The 23 diuretics that have been outlawed include Hydrochlorothiazide (brand name Aprozide) and Metolazone (brand name Zaroxolyn). The third category of supplements that it disallows is stimulants, of which 67 make the list.

Besides those specified by name, NFL does not allow its players to take any other substances which have similar biological effects and similar chemical structures to that which it has forbidden.

A list of a few banned supplements that will get football players in trouble is given below. Keep in mind, the list is not complete.

Anabolic And Androgenic Steroids

1. Androstenediol (Androstederm)
2. Methandienone (Danabol, Dianabol)
3. Methyltestosterone (Metandren)
4. Stanozolol (Stromba, Winstrol)
5. Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG)

Protein And Peptide Hormones

1. Human Growth Hormone (hGH)  – Saizen, Humatrope, Nutropin AQ
2. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) –  Novarel, Menotropins
3. Insulin Growth Factor (IGF-1)    
4. Growth Hormone Releasing Hormones (GHRH)  –  CJC-1295, Sermorelin, Tesamorelin
5. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) – Alexamorelin, GHRP-6, Hexarelin, Pralmorelin (GHRP-2)

Other Anabolic Agents

1. Clenbuterol    
2. Zilpaterol (Zilmax)
3. Tibolone    
4. Zeranol

Anti-estrogenic Agents

1. Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren)
2. Clomiphene (Clomid)
3. Formestane (Lentarone)
4. Letrozole (Femara)
5. Testolactone (Teslac)

Diuretics

1. Acetazolamide (Amilco)
2. Bendroflumethiazide (Aprinox)
3. Bumetanide (Burine)
4. Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
5. Indapamide (Lozol, Natrilix)

Stimulants

1. Amphetamine (Greenies, Speed, Adderall)
2. Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
3. Ephedrine (Ma Huang, Chi Powder)
4. Fenfluramine (Phen-Fen, Redux Fenetylline)
5. Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Daytrana, Metadate, Methylin)