NFL All-Pro Player, “DO NOT Take The Injections They Give You”

Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones, 30, suggested he’s retiring from the NFL due to detrimental impacts on his health.

Jones, the former 1st-round draft pick and 2018 Second-team All-Pro selection, said he’s unable to run or jump because of injuries he sustained playing football.

The ‘unofficial world recorder holder for standing long jump’ said “DO NOT” take the pills they give you and “DO NOT” take the injections they give you.

“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,” Jones tweeted Saturday.

“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.”

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.

— Byron Jones (@TheByronJones) February 25, 2023

Per Wikipedia on Byron Jones’ NFL career:

Byron Philip Jones (born September 26, 1992) is an American Former Football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UConn, and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft after a stellar combine performance. He holds the unofficial world record for the standing long jump at 12 feet 3 inches (3.73 meters).^[1] He played five seasons for the Cowboys, where he was once named Second-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl. A free agent after his fifth season, Jones signed a five-year, $82 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, making him at the time the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

NBC Sports noted:

Jones spent all of 2022 on the physically unable to perform list, due to ankle and Achilles issues.

His tweet strongly implies that he won’t be playing any time soon, if (as he says) he can’t run or jump.

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Jones remains under contract with the Dolphins. With a $13.5 million salary for 2023, none of which is guaranteed, it appears that he’ll either be released or retiring, sooner than later.

According to ESPN, Jones is not retiring from the NFL:

Jones is not retiring, a source told ESPN.

Jones, 30, underwent surgery in March to clean up a lingering injury he dealt with during the 2021 season. A source told ESPN at the time that Jones was expected to be ready for training camp in July, but he was never activated off the PUP list.

A former first-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, Jones signed a five-year, $82 million deal in 2020. He represents an $18.3 million cap hit in 2023, but the Dolphins can save $13.6 million by releasing or trading him after June 1.

Jones made the Pro Bowl in 2018 and has 57 pass deflections and four interceptions in his eight-year career.