NFL star Chris Long -- who just retired over the weekend -- is crediting weed for helping him last 11 seasons in the league ... saying regular marijuana use got him through the pain and stress during his career.
“I certainly enjoyed my fair share on a regular basis through my career,” Long told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday.
“If not for that, I’m not as capable of coping with the stresses of the day-to-day NFL life.”
We know what you're thinking ... how did Long successfully evade the NFL's rigorous drug testing program for all those years?