The Physical and Mental Toll of Professional Football: A Look at Miami Dolphins Cornerback Byron Jones
Professional football can be a physically and mentally demanding sport, with repercussions that can last a lifetime. Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones recently shared a video graphic on Twitter, comparing his performance at the NFL combine eight years ago to the present. Jones revealed that he can no longer run or jump due to injuries sustained during his career, and warned future players to “DO NOT take the pills they give you. DO NOT take the injections they give you.”
Jones’ warning comes just two days before the next scouting combine, and his words echo the sentiments of other former NFL players. Earlier this month, a lawsuit was filed by 10 former players accusing the NFL of denying disability benefits and legal violations. The former players allege that football left them with lingering physical injuries and cognitive injuries that continue to complicate their lives.
Jones was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and signed a five-year, $82 million contract with the Dolphins in 2020. To date, he has recorded four interceptions, 444 combined tackles, three quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and 57 pass deflections across 109 career games. He is currently on the physically unable to perform list and is not expected to retire, but is likely to be cut by the Dolphins.
Chris Seeger, the lawyer who served as class counsel in the separate $1 billion settlement of NFL concussion claims, spoke to ESPN about the recently filed suit. He stated that the players “deserve far more from an organization worth billions of dollars than a sham process in which there’s no chance of success.”
The physical and mental toll of playing professional football is something that all players should consider before taking the field. Jones’ story should serve as a warning to future players to be aware of the long-term implications of the sport.
