Eugene Monroe, a veteran offensive tackle who became the first active N.F.L. player to publicly ask the league to let players use medical marijuana, will retire after seven seasons.
In recent years, many retired players have urged the league to lift the ban on the use of medical marijuana. In March, Monroe echoed those calls, saying that medical marijuana is safer and healthier than the prescription painkillers that teams routinely give players.
Monroe’s views were not seconded by officials at the Baltimore Ravens, including head coach John Harbaugh. When Monroe was released by the team in June, he said his advocacy for medical marijuana might have played a role.