All-time Miami Dolphins NFL draft bust reflects on tumultuous career and how owner Stephen Ross treated him
Dion Jordan has become one of the most well-known names in Miami Dolphins' lore. The third overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft is considered one of the biggest busts in franchise history after Miami traded up almost 10 spots to select the former Oregon Ducks star. This week, Jordan opened up to former Miami […]
Dion Jordan has become one of the most well-known names in Miami Dolphins' lore. The third overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft is considered one of the biggest busts in franchise history after Miami traded up almost 10 spots to select the former Oregon Ducks star.
This week, Jordan opened up to former Miami Dolphin OJ McDuffie and Seth Levit of The Fish Tank Podcast about his journey through the draft process, struggles to get through his NFL career, and where he's at now.
Jordan played six seasons in the NFL and was suspended for the 2015 season due to substance abuse. He logged only 46 tackles and three sacks in two years with Miami. After he was suspended, Jordan played for Seattle, Oakland, and then San Francisco before his career was over at 30 years old.
Jordan's insights were incredible, especially as someone who was a big fan of his coming out of Oregon. He opened the podcast by describing that he's coaching with former Dolphin defensive tackle Randy Starks at Eureka College in Illinois. He's found a home as the assistant head coach after being out of the NFL for four seasons.
The interview then goes into how Jordan went through the draft process and never spoke to the Dolphins. He thought he'd go high, but Miami sat with the 12th overall pick. The only thing he knew about Miami was he heard the comparisons to Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.
After being drafted, Jordan said he struggled to adjust right away because he was dealing with a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery, which kept him off the field for the entire offseason. He also missed time because the NFL had a rule that he couldn't actively participate right away since he didn't graduate from college. By the time he was in the building, he was trying to soak up as much as he could from Cam Wake and other veterans.
When asked about why he busted out of Miami, Jordan was candid. He said he missed time in the building, including rehab sessions for his shoulder, because he didn't have his priorities in order. He spent too much time partying and being away from the facility, and he learned a hard lesson that only he can be responsible for.
McDuffie asked Jordan about his suspension, which eventually ended his stint in Miami. He said it was the first time he'd ever been in trouble, and it took a huge mental toll on him, and it caused him to spiral despite being offered help. That included Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.
"He [Ross] would always find a way to get to me wherever I was. He was sending emails…I felt bad. At the end, when I had to say bye, he was the last person I had to say bye to. Then I had to think about the fact that he was still rooting for me the whole time, I felt bad. But it was a huge blessing that someone in that position was rooting for you that had your back and asked you to come on board, be a part of what he had going on in that organization, it's cool. It's really cool to think back that somebody like that supported me."
The conversation continued for another 20 minutes, touching on how Jordan moved forward as a person and player. It's an inspiring story and, hopefully, one that helps some Dolphins fans get past the pain that came from his brief but highly hyped stint with the franchise.
You can listen to the original audio on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
