Most Packers fans remember Cullen Jenkins as a defensive force with a mean streak who wouldn't back down from anyone.
On the field, he helped the push the Packers to the Super Bowl during the 2010 season. But beneath the glory, the game takes its toll.
"Fingers busted up, knees, ankles," Jenkins said. "You're taught from a young age you play through pain."
After a 13-year NFL career with three different teams, Cullen Jenkins Is now dealing with the aftermath. Pain from the game. He estimates he's had multiple concussions while playing in the NFL.
"At first the adrenaline's going, big hit, team's pumped up," he said. "All of a sudden you're trying to focus and it's like, everything's changed. You're trying to figure out what's going on."
How do you deal with that after the game is over?
"I'll go walk to the bathroom and go grab something I'd forgot in there and on the way I get sidetracked and go back and I totally forgot to get what I was supposed to get," Jenkins said. "Now, you're wondering is this normal?"
Battling anxiety and depression, he turned to pills, marijuana and alcohol to help him off the field.
"They didn't want you missing practices," said Jenkins. "So, now you've got a short window of two to three days where you have to get all these injuries well enough that you can practice. Pills were something that helped you."
Now, Jenkins uses CBD oil, which is a restricted form of medical marijuana. It helps him deal with daily pain. He's also part owner of the company, Fresh Farms CBD.
"As you learn, you wonder why isn't this an option? Especially with all the prescription abuses," he said. "Just because you hear CBD oil and it comes from cannabis doesn't mean it gets you high. It kind of helped me to get out of the funk I was in with the pain. Got to the point I was running 3 miles every day and I'm like 'this really helps.'"
