CBD Helps Carson Palmer In Life After The NFL, And During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Carson Palmer and his family recently moved. The former NFL quarterback was hauling sofas, dressers and televisions despite neck and back issues stemming from a 15-year career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals.

Whether he’s in the midst of a move, working out or squatting down to catch his son’s fastball, Palmer relies on CBD to help combat his chronic aches and pains. The 2002 Heisman Trophy winner and three-time Pro Bowl selection partnered with Level Select, a performance-based CBD sports cream launched by Kadenwood in late 2019. He says he uses it on his neck and back each morning for a pain-free day, and sometimes again at night before bed if he has more physically strenuous days like he experienced during the recent move.

“I’m an everyday user who 100 percent believes in the product,” Palmer said. “My whole family uses it. … It’s something that has really made things simpler and easier for me.”

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the hundreds of compounds that comprise cannabis. CBD, unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), does not give users a “high” feeling, but has been proven to provide relief for chronic pain, anxiety, arthritis and even epilepsy.

Palmer and wife Shaelyn, a former USC soccer player, use CBD for their aches and pains from their playing days. Palmer’s mother has rheumatoid arthritis, and his father has knee and back issues.

The family is also using CBD to help during the current coronavirus pandemic as news outlets are reporting increasing numbers of confirmed cases and deaths on a daily basis.

“Every few days my wife will read a story and say, ‘This is getting bad,’ but I keep saying, “Everything’s going to be OK,’” Palmer said. “She uses the oil—rubbing it behind her ears and on her chest—and within 15 minutes it’s almost like she can take a breath and almost relax about it.”

Being limited at home as a result of stay-at-home mandates from government and health officials, Palmer is doing whatever he can to remain active and productive during the coronavirus pandemic. While being a father of four certainly takes up its fair share of time, Palmer has rediscovered a hobby he once enjoyed that eventually became a burden.

Toward the end of his playing career, Palmer spent countless hours each day tending to his body whether it was lifting in the weight room, doing footwork, rehabilitation, stretching or working with the chiropractor. After retiring in January 2018, Palmer didn’t want to be in the gym anymore, instead preferring to get his exercise and some fresh air outside. He also stopped lifting because he didn’t want to put weight and strain on his neck and back.

“I had taken some time off then all of a sudden this virus hit and for some reason it recharged me to lift again,” Palmer, 40, said. “My body started feeling good and it really got me excited to lift again. I look forward to getting up every day and doing it now.”

While Palmer is retired, he urges all current athletes to take advantage of the enforced break from playing due to the pandemic to re-evaluate what’s important in life while improving themselves off the field.

“From an NFL standpoint, all these guys are normally getting ready to pack up and head back to their cities to start OTAs and lifting,” he said. “It gives you a chance to sit back and realize what’s important. … Hopefully people can figure out what they want to be better at; it’s a great opportunity for them.”