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The New York Jets drafted Jordan Travis in the fifth round last year, hoping for a comeback from a gruesome leg injury he suffered during his final season at Florida State.
However, Travis was never able to fully recover, and shortly after that year’s draft, he retired.
“On November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn,” Travis said in a statement released by the Jets in April. “I gave everything I had to the rehabilitation process but, despite my best efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped.
“After much prayer and consultation with doctors, medical experts and my agent, I have been medically advised to retire from the game I love so much.”
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Jordan Travis of the New York Jets before a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2024, in East Rutherford, NJ (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
In an episode of his own podcast after Jets owner Woody Johnson criticized Justin Fields, Travis revealed that Johnson made “astute comments” directly to him about his injury.
“I have to tell you, this guy — no disrespect — but I’ve been told things, not obviously to that extent because I never got on the field to play, but about my leg,” Travis said on the “Travis Takes Two” podcast.
“Just astute comments. I don’t know if he was trying to be astute about it. You know, some older people just say whatever comes to their mind, and it kind of made me feel a certain type of way.”
Travis then said Johnson asked him if he was “ever going to get healthy again.”
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis is removed from the field after being injured during the first half of a game against North Alabama on Nov. 18, 2023, in Tallahassee, Florida. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
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“And I’m just like, ‘Damn.’ Not like, ‘How do you feel?’ Never that, it was always comments like that. It kind of upset me, but it kind of went over my head,” Travis said.
The Jets did not respond to a request for comment from PK Press Club Digital regarding Travis’ comments.
Fields responded by helping the Jets to an improbable 39-38 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals before heading into their bye week.
“Congratulations to Justin Fields, I don’t know if you saw his press conference. You can see in his face he’s not even distraught, bro,” Travis said. “It’s really cool, it inspired me. I reposted it on my Instagram. Now it’s his chance. It’s getting his attention. God still has his hand on him all the time.”
The Jets appeared to be leaning towards starting Tyrod Taylor for the game after replacing Fields the week before at halftime. However, Taylor was unable to play due to a knee injury.
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) prepares to pass on the run on September 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, NJ (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Fields said the days leading up to the game had been emotional. It was the Jets’ first victory of the season.
