Extending the Game

09/03/2026

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Panthers legend Thomas Davis has revealed publicly for the first time that he became addicted to opioids as his NFL career wound down — admitting the addiction helped destroy his marriage and changed him into someone his own children could struggle to be proud of.

Davis built his reputation as one of the NFL's toughest players, remarkably returning from three ACL tears in the same knee and even playing in Super Bowl 50 with a freshly broken arm.

But Davis now says years of accumulated pain eventually led him down a much darker path.

Federal investigators allege Davis received more than 13,000 Oxycodone and Percocet pills between November 2019 and March 2024 from sports-medicine provider Joan Rubinger.

The situation eventually reached the DEA after Davis' then-wife, Kelly, discovered prescriptions had allegedly been written in her name for medication intended for Davis and alerted authorities.

Speaking candidly on The Pivot Podcast, Davis revealed how badly his addiction affected his family. He explained that being a father his children could look up to had always been incredibly important to him, but the person he became during that period made that increasingly difficult.

The addiction also contributed to the collapse of his marriage.

Davis says he eventually got help and is now focused on repairing his relationship with his four children.

The family's problems became even more public last year when Kelly Davis was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and battery after allegedly attacking a woman she believed had slept with Thomas.

Kelly admitted that she struck the woman but said she acted in self-defense. She had also accused Thomas in court documents of having sexual relationships with at least six other women during their marriage. Their divorce was finalized in December 2025.

Last month, Kelly entered a pretrial diversion program in the assault case, agreeing to complete a behavioral intervention course, stay away from the woman and pay $1,380 in restitution. Her charge will be dismissed if she successfully completes the program.

The investigation into Rubinger went far beyond Davis. Federal authorities alleged she prescribed approximately 260,000 controlled-substance pills to patients across more than 20 states.

Rubinger later agreed to pay $1.4 million to resolve civil allegations and permanently surrendered her ability to prescribe controlled substances. She did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

It's a stunning admission from a player whose entire NFL identity was built around his ability to withstand pain and keep playing through injuries — revealing the devastating toll that pain continued to take long after the games ended.

(Via The Pivot Podcast/AP)

08/31/2026

08/30/2026

Happy 44th birthday to former Florida State Seminoles Football All-ACC running back Leon Washington!

A native of Jacksonville, Leon Washington spent four seasons from Tallahassee from 2002 to 2005. During that time, Washington helped the Seminoles win three ACC titles. He also scored a touchdown five different ways at FSU: rushing, receiving, punt return, kickoff return and fumble recovery.

Over his four years of campus, Washington finished with more than 2,500 yards from scrimmage and 3,866 all-purpose yards -- good for eighth in program history. Splitting carries with Lorenzo Booker and Greg Jones during his FSU career, Washington enjoyed a career year in 2004 when he rushed for 951 yards and seven touchdowns to earn second-team All-ACC honors. As a special teamer, he was also responsible for two forced fumbles.

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, Washington would have a solid 9-year career in the NFL with the Jets, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans. Regarded as one of the top return specialists in football, Washington was a 2-time Pro Bowler -- 2008 with the Jets and 2012 with Seattle. He led the league with three kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2007 and 2010. Washington led the NFL in all-purpose yards in 2008. His eight career kickoff returns for touchdowns ranks second in NFL history.