NFL legend Champ Bailey opened up about how his cannabis use helped him with physical and mental recovery throughout his football career.

The former Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos star has long advocated for cannabis use for pain management over painkillers that have been pushed in the past.

Speaking with Fox News in a virtual interview, Bailey shared that he partnered with Trulieve to help the company secure a license in Georgia.

He also detailed when he began using cannabis and how it benefited him as a high-level athlete.

‘I stayed away from it until I was mature enough to really take part in it,’ Bailey explained. ‘And it wasn’t until my second, third year in Washington when I was exposed to it. I always had some exposure to it from a social standpoint, but I never took part in it. And that’s just because of where I was raised. I never thought of it being a benefit to my health.’

‘But once I saw professionals, like myself, doing it, I felt more inclined to try. For one, I didn’t want to go down the road of alcoholism or addicted to any drugs. So, I made it a point to … let’s just crawl before I walk. I did it a few times, and it worked for me.

Champ Bailey revealed how his use of cannabis helped him throughout his NFL career 

During his career, Bailey was a 12-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro player

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‘And it calmed my mind, my body. If you’re familiar with anything in the NFL, it’s one of the toughest sports to play. For me, it was just, ‘How do I bounce back and stay at the highest level of my game?’ Well, this helped me do that,’ Bailey shared.

‘Fortunately for me, I found something that benefited me, and it’s more now, ‘How do I educate people on what it did for me so they can potentially look at it as a positive use for them?’ But, of course, everybody has to walk their own path. I recommend guys all the time just talk to your doctor about it.

‘I talked to mine about it. So, it’s one of those things. Let’s stop being shy about talking about it and potentially go down that road. The only way you’re gonna learn is being open and honest about your use or your interest in using. That’s sort of been my journey and that journey continues.’

Bailey played in the NFL from 1999 to 2013. During his career, Bailey was a 12-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro player, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame All-2000’s team.

The cornerback played for Washington from 1999-2003, Denver from 2004-2013, and closed his career as a practice player for the Saints. Bailey was the seventh overall pick out of the University of Georgia.

He closed his career with 931 tackles, 52 interceptions (which led to 464 yards), three sacks, and five touchdowns.