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The New York Jets drafted Jordan Travis in the fifth round last year in hopes of a comeback from a gruesome leg injury he suffered in his final season at Florida State.
However, Travis was never able to fully recover and shortly after this 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 all my efforts, my leg never responded as we hoped.
“After much prayer and consultation with the 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)
On an episode of his own podcast, after Jets owner Woody Johnson criticized Justin Fields, Travis revealed that Johnson made some “sly comments” about his injury directly to him.
“I have to tell you, that guy — no disrespect — but things were said to me, not overtly to the point of never coming on the field to play, but about my leg,” Travis said on the “Travis Takes Two” podcast.
“Like, just smart comments. I don’t know if he was trying to be smart about it. You know how some older people, they just say whatever comes to mind and it made me feel a certain way.”
Travis then said Johnson asked him if he was “ever going to get well.”
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis is taken off the field after being injured in the first half of a game against North Alabama Nov. 18, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
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“And I’m just like, ‘Damn.’ Not like, ‘How are you?’ 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 Pakinomist Digital regarding Travis’ comments.
Fields responded by helping the Jets to an improbable 39-38 comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals before entering their bye week.
“Kudos to Justin Fields, I don’t know if you saw his press conference. You can tell by his face that he’s not even upset bro,” Travis said. “It’s really cool, inspired me. I freaking reposted it on my Instagram. Now’s his chance. He’s getting his attention. God still has his hand on him all the time.”
The Jets appeared to be leaning toward starting Tyrod Taylor for the game after he replaced Fields the previous week 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 were emotional. It was the Jets’ first win of the season.
