GREEN BAY, Wisconsin — Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ consumption of the hallucinogenic beverage ayahuasca during an offseason withdrawal is not considered a violation of the NFL’s drug policy.
Rodgers discussed last week on the Aubrey Marcus Podcast how he went to Peru for an ayahuasca retreat in 2020, ahead of the third of his four MVP seasons. Ayahuasca is defined as a psychoactive drink native to South America and is often used for religious, ritual, or medicinal purposes.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Monday that this would not have triggered a positive test result on any substance abuse or performance-enhancing substance policies collectively negotiated by the NFL and its players’ association.
Earlier Monday, Packers coach Matt LaFleur was asked if he was concerned the league might discipline Rodgers, and LaFleur said, “I really haven’t given it much thought at all.”
Rodgers said on the podcast that the retreat gave him “a deep and meaningful appreciation for life,” adding that “I came back knowing I would never be the same again.”
Rodgers said he believes the experience helped pave the way for his success this year.
The Associated Press and ESPN’s Rob Demovsky contributed to this report.