While the toughness of football is something fans celebrate, it often extracts a devastating toll on those who play the game.
Former Florida State University standout and New York Jets fifth-round selection Jordan Travis has officially announced his retirement at just 24 years old.
The decision comes after Travis struggled to recover from a catastrophic leg injury sustained during his final collegiate appearance on November 18, 2023.
“I 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’ve been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply,” Travis explained in a statement, per ESPN.
Breaking: Former FSU star and Jets 2024 5th-round pick Jordan Travis is retiring. Travis sustained a serious injury to his left leg in his final college game on Nov. 18, 2023.
Travis said in a statement, “I gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts,… pic.twitter.com/8MHmyuMdpt
— ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2025
Travis captured the attention of the college football world during his remarkable 2023 campaign.
The quarterback finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting while displaying exceptional decision-making and accuracy.
He completed 63.9% of his passes, throwing for 20 touchdowns against just two interceptions before his season was cut short.
His stellar performance propelled the Seminoles to an impressive 11-0 start, elevating his NFL draft stock in the process.
The devastating injury not only derailed Travis personally but delivered a crushing blow to Florida State’s championship aspirations.
Despite being unable to participate in pre-draft workouts, Travis maintained his appeal to NFL teams through impressive interview performances.
His perseverance paid dividends when the New York Jets selected him 171st overall during the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Though immediate playing time wasn’t part of the equation, Travis found himself in a valuable development situation behind accomplished veterans Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor.
That being said, injuries remain an unfortunate reality in the NFL, with some proving too severe to overcome.
