Former Panthers athletic trainer takes plea deal after giving players opioids without prescriptions

CHARLOTTE — A former athletic trainer for the Carolina Panthers has worked out a plea deal to avoid jail time.

Ryan Vermillion was accused of giving opioids to players without a prescription.

The deal was approved by a federal judge Friday.

Investigators said the longtime trainer gave drugs to players with the Washington Commanders, where he worked for the past two years.

Vermillion was a trainer for the Panthers for 18 years before working with the Commanders.

Per the plea deal, Vermillion is ordered to serve a year of probation.

He has been suspended from the NFL.

The league said it is also investigating whether or not the Commanders violated the prescription drug monitoring program.

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