Dolphins’ Byron Jones Says He Can’t Run or Jump After Injuries Sustained
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Miami, Florida (PSF) - Dolphins’ cornerback Byron Jones had two very shocking and eye-opening tweets this past Saturday afternoon in response to a gif that the NFL tweeted regarding his broad jump at the 2015 NFL Combine.
In response to the gif, here is what Jones tweeted:
“Much has changed in 8 years. Today I can’t run or jump because of my injuries sustained playing this game. DO NOT take the pills they give you. DO NOT take the injections they give you. If you absolutely must, consult an outside doctor to learn the long-term implications. It was an honor and privilege to play in the NFL but it came at a regrettable cost I did not foresee. In my opinion, no amount of professional success or financial gain is worth avoidable chronic pain and disabilities. Godspeed to the draft class of 2023.”
While Jones did tweet that “it was an honor and privilege to play in the NFL”, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that Jones isn’t retiring. Jackson added that the “general expectation” is that Jones will be cut, given that he has a non-guaranteed salary (per NFLPA Records) of $13.5 million.
Many NFL fans look at the game and every Sunday as something to look forward to throughout the week and as an escape from everything going on in their lives and the real world. However, what these same fans do not recognize is that the players they look up to, root for, and look at as immortal and super heroic figures have the same minds and bodies that they do. Look no further than what happened to Damar Hamlin (cardiac arrest) and Jones’ current teammate Tua Tagovailoa (multiple concussions) this past season. While the NFL is looking and trying to make the game safer for their players, no matter what they do, the game is still going to be a physical and violent battle which will still result in many serious injuries.
Most recently this week like Jones, former Packers, Giants, and Raiders linebacker Blake Martinez decided to step away from the game to focus on his Pokémon card selling business and from the injuries that have piled up over the past seven seasons of his career as he gladly will take the pain of opening packs of cards over his shoulder and back.
At the end of the day, it is the players choice and decision of if they want to play the game or not while simultaneously knowing all the mental, physical, and financial risks that come with it. No matter the players choice, we all must respect it, as only so few are lucky enough and able to enjoy a very long, and successful career.
