EXCLUSIVE: Former NFL's Eddy 'Boo' Williams And House Of Kush Launch Cannabis Brand & Concussion Awareness

House of Kush, the Kansas City, MO-based legacy cannabis company announced Friday that it is working with former NFL player Eddie “Boo” Williams to create the lifestyle and cannabis brand Black Gold Buddha.

Williams, who played tight end for the New Orleans Saints, had his career cut short after blunt head trauma and subsequent damage to his frontal cortex. After years of depression, including suicidal thoughts that he nearly carried out, Williams found something that helped: cannabis.

“Cannabis saved my life,” Williams told Benzinga. “The old stigmas are finally disappearing and thankfully cannabis is helping others who’ve gone through the same situation as me, including some of my teammates.” Williams also played in the Arena Football League (AFL).

House of Kush’s CEO and co-founder Reggie Harris has known Williams from their days together in the AFL’s Kansas City Brigade where Williams played in 2007.

“I told him I was glad we connected all these years later,” Harris said. “Players had been using cannabis for several years to help with pain management and we’re proud to partner with a trailblazer like Boo. I’m glad to know that now the NFL will do some empirical research to likely discover what players have known for many years.”

The NFL Is Trying, Sort Of

Despite the NFL’s investment of $1 million to study the therapeutic potential of marijuana, CBD and other alternatives to opioids for treating pain and improving post-concussion outcomes, the league has yet to implement comprehensive policies allowing for its use in treatment and recovery, even as the incidence of concussions continues to rise.

“After witnessing this unsettling increase in concussions in the NFL, my team and I asked the question: When is it enough before a treatment regimen that includes cannabis is taken seriously?” said Dr. Denise C. Vidot who runs the Sports Medicine Subdivision of the Global Cannabis and Psychedelics Laboratory at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies.

“There is emerging evidence, especially over the past 5 years, showing improvements in post-concussion outcomes among those who consume cannabis compared to those that do not.”

House Of Kush

This majority Black-owned business is rooted in science and based on Legacy strains including its newest strains to hit the market – SFV OG and now Black Gold Buddha. 

“Passionate about being part of changing the narrative of cannabis, House of Kush preserves both the history and integrity of the past for the future,” says Reggie Harris. "Coming from the world of sports has allowed us to appreciate the benefits of the cannabis plant and how it can impact lives.”

House of Kush partners with like-minded companies to deliver superior quality while being accessible. “This year will see expansion into five additional states and implementation of an international partnership,” Harris concluded.

Photo of Eddie “Boo” Williams, taken by Chris Graythen, Getty Images, courtesy of House of Kush