Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain is suspended for the first 10 games of the NFL season, hasn't shown up to training camp and reportedly is abusing a codeine-laced substance known as "purple drank."
If you haven't listened to a rap song within the last decade, purple drank is substance that involves prescription strength cough syrup, which contains codeine, and is often mixed with Sprite, giving it a purplish color. The drink has grown popular in recent years and is abused as a recreational drug.
According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, it sounds like McClain has developed an addiction to the drink.
MORE: Jerry Jones' embarrassing history of enabling
“The unfortunate story with linebacker Rolando McClain, who is currently on a 10-game suspension from the NFL, is that he’s abusing a codeine-based drug called ‘purple drank.’ What it basically is, is a combination of Sprite and codeine, or cough syrup, in this case, that leaves it with a purple color.
“It also is ingested constantly, and victims of using this often gain lots and lots of weight. That’s exactly what is happening in McClain’s case, where he’s gained approximately 40 pounds, according to those two sources, and he is incredibly out of shape at this time.”
MORE: Why Cowboys can do whatever they want
The drink has dangerous side effects and has taken some lives. Rapper Pimp C, from the group UGK, reportedly died from an overdose, made worse by a pre-existing sleep condition.
McClain violated the league's substance of abuse policy, which has him on thin ice with the Cowboys. Team owner Jerry Jones said he was "disappointed" with McClain but wouldn't go as far as to say he would release the linebacker.
Rolando McClain gained 40 pounds abusing 'purple drank,' report says
If you haven't listened to a rap song within the last decade, purple drank is substance that involves prescription strength cough syrup, which contains codeine, and is often mixed with Sprite, giving it a purplish color. The drink has grown popular in recent years and is abused as a recreational drug.
According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, it sounds like McClain has developed an addiction to the drink.
MORE: Jerry Jones' embarrassing history of enabling
“The unfortunate story with linebacker Rolando McClain, who is currently on a 10-game suspension from the NFL, is that he’s abusing a codeine-based drug called ‘purple drank.’ What it basically is, is a combination of Sprite and codeine, or cough syrup, in this case, that leaves it with a purple color.
“It also is ingested constantly, and victims of using this often gain lots and lots of weight. That’s exactly what is happening in McClain’s case, where he’s gained approximately 40 pounds, according to those two sources, and he is incredibly out of shape at this time.”
MORE: Why Cowboys can do whatever they want
The drink has dangerous side effects and has taken some lives. Rapper Pimp C, from the group UGK, reportedly died from an overdose, made worse by a pre-existing sleep condition.
McClain violated the league's substance of abuse policy, which has him on thin ice with the Cowboys. Team owner Jerry Jones said he was "disappointed" with McClain but wouldn't go as far as to say he would release the linebacker.
Rolando McClain gained 40 pounds abusing 'purple drank,' report says
