The Byron Jones mystery clears and reveals hard truth about the NFL
Byron Jones was the Miami Dolphins mega Free Agent acquisition in 2020 and a big reason Xavien Howard had his epic season with 10 interceptions. Jones was sorely missed last season and there was some mystery surrounding his long absence after surgery in March. Rumors swirled and the only thing that seemed clear was the Dolphins would be cutting Jones this offseason. After some recent tweets by Jones, clarity and brutality replaced the mystery over the situation.
Modern medicine is great, but it has limits
Rumors ranging from a contract dispute to ‘Jaking’ it as a lazy athlete floated about in the absence of information. But in the end, it was just a player hurt really bad and not able to recover after highly invasive surgery… and maybe will never be the same again.
You could easily say this is just the price you pay for becoming a millionaire playing a kid’s game. While this is an accurate take, it lacks nuance… and humanity.
Now, let me be clear, people have and are paying similar and greater prices for much less now and throughout history. Whether its kids or adults working mines, to under water welders, to soldiers losing life, limp, or sanity, plenty of people are paying a steep price to do a job and making a whole lot less. So, I’m not going to get hyperbolic and say this is tragic. BUT any human that has their youth cut short or life diminished is a terrible thing. The one caveat that football players can raise high as a special plight is the huge percentage of them that suffer tremendously in a job where people watch for enjoyment the brutality inflicted on their bodies.
As of a couple of years ago the average life expectancy statistics for NFL players was early 50’s compared to early 70’s for the rest of the population. That’s steep!!!!
NFL football is a game played with a lot at stake
Football IS a blood sport.
I say blood sport not as a pejorative, but as a fact. I played up until junior college and missing playing and love watching the game. I love this ‘blood sport’ and always will. NFL football isn’t feeding people to lions or gladiatorial combat, but it’s a unique type of game in modern society along with boxing and MMA. So as we fans watch the game and make our estimations of these players try to keep the heavy toll on their bodies in mind. While they DO make a ton, you can bet with the best football software that they pay a step price to play and make that money… and for us fans to enjoy.
So, this Phins fan says thanks, Byron Jones, for your contributions to the Miami Dolphins. You gave your all to the franchise and I loved the way you played by never shying away from contact. I hope your body recovers soon and your next chapter of life is amazing. Go Phins!!!