Delvin Breaux Sr. Talks Pain, Perseverance, and the Cannabis Plant
Delvin Breaux Sr.’s journey from a high school athlete to a professional football player is the quintessential story of resilience and determination. A New Orleans native, Breaux attended McDonogh 35 High School, where he quickly distinguished himself as a formidable cornerback. His performance on the field earned him a scholarship offer from Louisiana State University (LSU), a dream come true for the young athlete.
However, during a fateful game on October 27, 2006, Breaux’s life took an unexpected turn. While returning a kickoff, he suffered a severe injury, fracturing his C4, C5, and C6 vertebrae. The gravity of the injury was such that his doctor remarked it was “like a miracle” that he was neurologically fine.
Despite the severity of his injury, LSU honored Breaux’s scholarship, and he joined the university in December 2008. Unfortunately, medical evaluations prevented him from being cleared to play, leading him to serve as a player-coach for the Tigers. This role, while valuable, couldn’t satiate his desire to play, and he eventually left LSU.
A Relentless Pursuit Of The Game
Determined to continue his football career, Breaux explored alternative avenues. In 2012, he played for the Louisiana Bayou Vipers in the Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL), where his talent earned him All-Star recognition. The following year, he signed with the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League (AFL), further honing his skills and showcasing his resilience.
Breaux’s perseverance caught the attention of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL), with whom he signed in May 2013. Over two seasons, he emerged as a defensive powerhouse, earning a CFL All-Star nod in 2014. His noteworthy performance in Canada paved the way for a return to his hometown when he signed with the New Orleans Saints in January 2015.
His rookie NFL season was nothing short of impressive. Breaux led the Saints with three interceptions and 23 passes defensed.
Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “I look at last year, I thought I had an OK season. There were some plays that I knew I could have made that didn’t happen. But this year, I said, ‘I will make those plays.’”
Facing Adversity And Finding Purpose
Injuries continued to challenge Breaux’s career. In the 2016 season opener, he suffered a broken fibula, sidelining him for several games. A misdiagnosis of a subsequent injury in 2017 led to organizational changes within the Saints’ medical staff. Despite these setbacks, Breaux’s commitment to the game never wavered.
After his stint in the NFL, Breaux returned to the CFL, rejoining the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2018. His impact was immediate, earning him another CFL All-Star selection. He continued to play at a high level until announcing his retirement from professional football in March 2021. However, his passion for the game saw him briefly return to the field with the BC Lions in 2022 before retiring later that year.
Discovering Cannabis And Mental Health Advocacy
Beyond the gridiron, Breaux has become a vocal advocate for mental health and the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. His personal experiences with injury and recovery have fueled his dedication to these causes, aiming to support others facing similar challenges.
Breaux first discovered cannabis as a medicinal aid in 2018 while playing in the CFL.
“One day, my teammates came into the locker room smelling like weed, and I was like, ‘Bro, y’all know we have practice, right? That stuff is supposed to make you tired, lazy—like you don’t even want to practice. Coach is going to be upset.’ But they told me, ‘Before you start talking to us about all that, go do your research. You don’t understand the benefits it offers.’ So, I did my homework, and once I started learning, I was like, ‘Wow, this actually has a lot of benefits.’”
Cannabis quickly became an integral part of his recovery and mental wellness. After experiencing the best sleep of his life following a game in Calgary, he started incorporating cannabis into his regimen, helping him recover from injuries and manage stress.
“I took two or three puffs and I started coughing like crazy. I woke up the next day, I had slept for nine to 10 hours. And I was like, ‘Whoa, this was some of the best sleep. I feel recovered. I’m ready for another game.”
Fighting For Awareness And Change
His advocacy extends beyond personal experience. He witnessed the negative effects of opioid use in professional sports and became passionate about educating others on natural alternatives. “I’ve seen guys get small, lose their body mass. Their liver and kidneys were failing. Especially playing professionally, when you get injured, the first thing they want to do is throw you pills.”
This advocacy eventually led to a partnership with High Science 420 Mobile, a phone service provider that integrates cannabis education with affordable mobile plans.
“Ed Leclere reached out to me and said, ‘I love what you’re doing, man. I have this company coming up, and I think it’ll definitely benefit both of us,”‘ he explained.
The company seeks to make mobile plans more accessible while integrating cannabis advocacy, operating under the umbrella of High Science, a media brand producing the upcoming High Science TV series. High Science 420 Mobile offers competitively priced phone plans with a portion of proceeds supporting the High Science Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding veterans, children with epilepsy and autism, and expanding access to cannabis health benefits.
Together, they are working to bridge the gap in public understanding of cannabis, focusing on educating communities about the endocannabinoid system and alternative consumption methods beyond smoking. By combining telecommunications with cannabis education, 420 Mobile presents a unique model where consumers can align their spending with their values, contributing to social causes while receiving affordable mobile service.”
Also Read: You’re Branding Cannabis Wrong. Here’s How to Fix It.
Building A Legacy Beyond Football
Breaux also founded the Delvin Breaux Sr. Foundation, dedicated to mental health awareness and advocacy.
“Mental health is important to me because I suffered from mental health myself. At nine years old, I tried to commit suicide. I tried to commit suicide again in 2009 and 2010 in college. So it’s definitely big and important for me to give back my message and share my story as to how I overcame it.”
Breaux’s future ambitions include launching his own cannabis brand tailored for mental health patients, as well as coaching young athletes.
“I want to get my story told. I feel like where we’re at right now in this world, a lot of people can benefit from it. Overcoming adversity, perseverance, resilience. “I feel the world deserves to know about this plant… It is the way. This is the medicine.”
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