Jordan Travis pushed through the struggles of a long and valiant comeback attempt from a serious leg injury until he was told it was time to finally walk away.
The New York Jets announced Wednesday that the quarterback informed them he will retire from playing football, a surprising NFL ending for the 24-year-old former Florida State star.
Travis during a game against North Alabama in November 2023, the last time he played in a game at any level. His left leg rolled under a defender, twisting his ankle awkwardly and fracturing it.
Travis was a last year but spent last season on the Jets鈥 non-football injury list. The team will now place him on the reserve/retired list.
鈥淥n November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn,鈥 Travis said in a statement released by the Jets. 鈥淚 gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with the doctors, medical experts and my agent, I鈥檝e been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply.鈥
Travis, who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting that year, completed 63.9% of his passes with 20 TDs and two interceptions 鈥 improving his draft stock while leading the Seminoles to an 11-0 start before his injury.
Shortly after being drafted, Travis acknowledged he had thought about someday replacing Aaron Rodgers as New York’s quarterback. He also insisted he never had any doubts he would recover from his injury and play again.
鈥淣o, sir. Never,鈥 he said last May. 鈥淚 mean, I love adversity. I love waking up every single day and having to make a choice. It just makes the story a whole lot cooler. I鈥檝e always said that, from the day I broke my leg until now.
鈥淚 love it, man. So, no, there鈥檚 never been a doubt in my mind.鈥
Travis’ agent Deiric Jackson told ESPN in March that the Jets 鈥渢ried to rush鈥 the quarterback’s rehabilitation and that caused a setback in his recovery. The team said it followed the plan created by Travis’ surgeon, and Jackson was 鈥渙ptimistic鈥 the quarterback would be ready for this season.
Jets general manager Darren Mougey declined to comment on Travis last week during the draft when he was asked about his recovery.
鈥淛ordan has informed us of his intent to retire due to the injury he sustained while at Florida State,鈥 Mougey said in a statement Wednesday. 鈥淚t is unfortunate that he was unable to get back on the field after working so hard. We support his decision and wish him only the best.鈥
In a hand-printed note , Travis said he was 鈥渙verwhelmed with gratitude鈥 as he reflected on his journey. He included his statement that was shared by the Jets and thanked the team for 鈥渂elieving in me and providing me with the opportunity to live out the ultimate dream.鈥 He also thanked his familiy, friends, coaches and teammates for their support.
鈥淚t is crazy how fast life can change,鈥 Travis wrote. 鈥淭his is not the ending I had ever imagined, but I do trust The Lord’s Plan above all else.鈥
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