Former 1st Round Pick Dion Jordan Sounds Like Changed Man
By Erik Lambert
Already the label of NFL draft bust is circling Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan, and he realizes he may be down to his last strike.
Coming out of the 2013 scouting combine, the hype was growing to major proportions around Jordan by the time the draft rolled around. Few had seen such a mix of size and athleticism from a defensive end before and people were getting visions of a potential superstar if he could just add polish to that raw ability. That’s why the Dolphins traded up to the #3 pick in order to get him. The chances of pairing him with Cameron Wake were just too good to pass up.
Unfortunately it’s easy to forget that these are just kids the league brings in each year. Most of them have never lived on their own or learned how to manage large sums of money. Thus many can get a little carried away with their spending, while others can put it towards less than ideal ends.
Like drugs.
That was the demon that haunted Jordan from the beginning. He committed multiple violations of the league performance-enhancing substance policy to a point where he was eventually suspended for the entire 2015 season. Now speculation has led to whether the Dolphins will give him another chance provided he’s reinstated for this season. Current estimates put it at 50/50.
When asked about his thoughts on the situation, the young defender didn’t mince words. He made it clear that he understands this may be his last shot to make it in the NFL.
"“I’m not about to waste it. I can’t waste it. And I (expletive) love doing it,” Jordan told USA TODAY Sports. “Who doesn’t love running out in front of 30,000-plus fans and you get that rush? But it’s also things that you can get that rush from that can be very satisfying and can carry you on to a successful life after football.“I just turned 26 years old, so life starts to hit you in the face. Who are you outside of those shoulder pads and helmet? And it’s weird, but I feel like it’s a blessing for me at this point in time to think about it, instead of waiting ‘til they really tell me I can’t play football no more.”"
He sounds like a man who doesn’t have any future plans outside of football. That’s a scary feeling for a man who is one more violation away from a possible permanent bad. At the same time, it can be just the kind of motivator a troubled young player needs to get his act together and start working harder. It’s not too late for Dion Jordan to prove the initial belief in him was not unfounded. If he can put together a decent year and stay out of trouble, some team will give him another chance if the Dolphins decide not to.