According to Macon, Ga., TV station WGXA, C.J. Harris, a senior safety from Warner Robins, Ga., received an offer of a preferred walk-on at Auburn shortly after helping lead Warner Robins High School to a state championship appearance. A few weeks ago, after Auburn had reviewed his medical records, they told Harris’ father, Curtis, he couldn’t play.
The reason? He wouldn’t pass NCAA-mandated drug tests with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his system.
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Curtis Harris said breaking the news to his son — who considers playing for the Tigers his “dream” — was “one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
“You’re taking something away from a kid who’s worked so hard in his life to get there,” Curtis Harris said. “And you’re just taking it away because he’s taking a medication that’s helping with his disability.”
That leaves Harris with limited options: Continue taking the medicine that has helped limit his seizures (he reportedly hasn’t had a single one since starting his treatment in January), look at alternate treatments that don’t involve THC or look at playing football through the JUCO or NAIA route.
