Report says suspended Rolando McClain addicted to 'purple drank'

The NFL has seen many instances of substance-abuse problems, but Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain might be the first documented case of being addicted to purple drank.

The Dallas Morning News, citing six unnamed sources, said McClain was suspended for 10 games because he tested positive for opiates. The sources said McClain has an addiction to codeine, an opiate which he gets from using “purple drank,” a term used for the mixture of prescription-strength cough syrup and soda.

McClain hasn’t reported to training camp with the Cowboys. The Morning News said McClain is in Stage 3 of the NFL’s substance-abuse program, and must enter a treatment facility or face a year-long suspension.

McClain has had a crazy career. He was the eighth pick of the 2010 draft by the Oakland Raiders, but never produced much and was cut for off-field incidents. He said he retired not long after being signed by the Baltimore Ravens, at age 23. McClain resurfaced with the Cowboys and has been a starter the last two seasons. The Cowboys were counting on him to start again, before he got suspended.

Now we know a little more about the depth of McClain’s problem. The Morning News story said coaches and teammates don’t even know if McClain wants to play football again. He showed up to a June minicamp 30 pounds overweight. It certainly doesn’t look good right now for McClain resuming his career this year.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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