Adonai Mitchell takes us on a deep dive into his Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and path to Colts
It was 2019, and 16-year-old Adonai Mitchell had just finished his Junior year of high school. He was hanging out in the training room as he had done countless times before, but many of his friends began to notice something wasn't right. My home boys in school were like, “you look like you're getting skinny”. […]
It was 2019, and 16-year-old Adonai Mitchell had just finished his Junior year of high school. He was hanging out in the training room as he had done countless times before, but many of his friends began to notice something wasn't right.
My home boys in school were like, “you look like you're getting skinny”. And the crazy thing is we were in the middle of offseason training (for football) so we are lifting and running I think I'm getting stronger and faster but the opposite was happening to me.
– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell
AD Mitchell's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis
Mitchell continued to get similar remarks about how skinny he was getting from people close to him. He began to get concerned when he realized that he had lost 20 lbs in just a two-week time span. He remembers always feeling like he was dehydrated even though he was constantly hydrating, as well as always needing to urinate. Both are symptoms of diabetes. But the thing that actually led him to get himself checked out came when his mother came home from work one day and noticed his weight loss in shock, telling him he "Looked like a Skeleton." That check led to Mitchell getting his official diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.
It was a shocker for me and my whole family. Because I'm the only diabetic in my family, type 1 or type 2. It honestly hit us like a train
– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell
After hearing the doctor share with him that he had type 1 diabetes, so many things were running through Mitchell's mind. But when the doctor asked him if he had any questions, Mitchell had only one: "Can I still play football?" When the doctor said yes, Mitchell knew everything he needed to know in that moment. This diagnosis may change parts of his life, but he was not going to let it take away the game he loved.
Living life as an athlete with diabetes
Mitchell shared with me that he initially thought his process as an athlete would be completely different than his other teammates. But he quickly realized during his senior high school season and three-year college career that he just "had one extra step."
On game day everyone goes and eats breakfast with the team I would just have to check my blood sugar, bring my insulin and get my shot. Checking it every time after I eat was the big change to my routine.
– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell
He was also told it was important that he figure out a quick snack he could eat mid-game or post-game in case he needed to replenish his blood sugar. Mitchell's go-to is Skittles, but he said it was important for me to note that it's the small snack-size bag of Skittles.
Dexcom has been a lifesaver for Mitchell, allowing him to check his levels fast and easily through his Dexcom G7 glucose monitor. While he’s in camp out on the field, it will send his levels directly to his Apple Watch and iPhone. During the season, since he can’t wear a watch during games, he will have his numbers sent directly to his trainers on the sideline while he’s on the field.
Attacks on AD Mitchell's Character
Any chance Mitchell got to show teams what he can do on the field during the draft cycle, he shined. He tested as one of the most athletic WRs at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and at his Pro Day at Texas, he was able to focus more on displaying his route running ability. His draft stock seemed to be at an all-time high, with Mitchell and many covering the NFL believing he had cemented himself as a 1st round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
A hurdle in his draft process appeared when Bob McGinn released a piece that included anonymous sources in the NFL sharing their opinions of Mitchell. Some of those being opinions that didn't have anything to do with his ability on a football field; they instead were shots at Mitchell's character and how he managed his diabetes diagnosis. Below are some of the excerpts from McGinn's piece:
He's been diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic. "You're going to have to assign him, somebody, to be next to him for his first few years because his issues are all about his diabetes and his blood sugar," said a second scout. "When his blood sugars are off, he's rude; he's abrasive, he doesn't pay attention in meetings. It's why you get really, really shitty character reports coming out of Georiga and Texas. But when his stuff is normal, and they get him normal by lunchtime, he's out at practice high energy, a best practice player, and loves football.
He's got Garrett Wilsonesque catch radius, athelic ability, and body control. But he's almost uncoachable.
A third source said diabetes was a major concern. "You've got to look out for it an he's got to take care of himself," he said. "Every diabetic does. Theres some questions but at the end of the day he's a good player that hasn't done anything overly malicious. He's probably just immature."
– Bob McGinn via the Go Long Substack
Mitchell saw the story and those reacting to it on social media, but he chose to be silent and let his game speak for itself throughout the rest of the draft process. But he spoke with me about his thoughts and reaction to seeing those anonymous reports.
I did see the comments. I just think it’s very unfortunate that we live in a world where one person can form opinions about another person they’ve never met, publish them online and instantly change the trajectory of their career. When I first read the comments, I honestly laughed. Around that time of the draft process, you know, those people are looking for a headline and I was confident nothing was going to come out about me because I’ve never been in trouble or put myself in a bad situation. And the fact that this person chose to target me for the disease I suffer from was crazy. And to speak on a disease that they are clearly not familiar with was even crazier.
I can’t control the fact that I was diagnosed with diabetes at 16, and I can’t control what anonymous sources say about me online. What I can control is how I react and my attitude. I didn’t let diabetes hold me back from making it to the NFL and I won’t let comments hold me back from being the player I know I am. I’m just happy to be playing in the NFL and for an organization that’s got my back.
– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell
In the moment, Mitchell didn't think that article/report would be something teams put too much stock into, but looking back, he says he noticed questions surrounding his diabetes occurred more often after that article's release.
At the time, I didn't notice it, but every team after that asked me about my diabetes and how I managed it. So, I'd walk them through how exactly I manage my diabetes day to day. A couple even noticed my Dexcom G7 that I wear and I would explain how much it helps me and makes it easier to manage my blood sugar.
– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell
Even after that article, Mitchell firmly believed he was going to hear his name called in the first round. The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft kicked off on April 25. He did not attend the Draft in person. Instead, he was surrounded by many of his friends and family in Texas. One by one, all 32 picks were announced, and seven WRs heard their names called. To the surprise of many, Mitchell was not one of them, as he remained available heading into the second round. His shocking fall would end at pick 52 when the Indianapolis Colts made Mitchell the 11th WR drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Chris Ballard stands up for Mitchell
Rumors began to swirl about why Mitchell fell out of the first round and the top 50 picks overall. And that article by Bob McGinn, with all those shots at Mitchell's character and handling of his Type 1 diabetes, was a popular reason being mentioned by many.
Colts GM Chris Ballard did what he has always done as a GM following the conclusion of Day 2 of the NFL Draft, he met with the media to discuss their selections. But when talking about the team's selection of Mitchell, Ballard had some choice words to say about the sources that had chosen to attack his new WR anonymously throughout the draft cycle.
I read some of the bull shit. Just our typical league, unnamed sources, bad interview, that's such bullshit; I mean, it fucking is, it's bullshit. Like, put your name on it; I'm tired of it. We tear these young men down, these are 21-22 year old men. And if people out there can tell me they are perfect in their lives, it's crap. This (Adonai Mitchell) is a good kid, and for those reports to come out, it's bullshit. Im sorry I apologize for the language, I don't but I do.
– Colts GM Chris Ballard after Day 2 of the draft
Many around the NFL loved how Ballard used his platform to go to bat for his new WR. But it was more than just a cool moment for Mitchell. Ballard's choice to do this had a real impact on Mitchell, and it's something he will never forget.
That makes me want to go to bat for him even harder. He didn't have to do that he could have just let everything breeze by and just say we are excited to have him he's a good player. For him to take the stand and fight for me really, I can't do anything but respect that and him. Now I just want to reciprocate that type of energy towards him and the team. And if I'm being honest that is the moment that really solidified me as a Colt.
– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell
Mitchell's desire to be a mentor for young athletes with diabetes
Mitchell not only knows how essential it is to take care of his diabetes, but he also has a desire to help and mentor the next generation of athletes with diabetes. This is why he decided to travel to San Diego for Dexcom U's first-ever sports camp for young athletes with diabetes on June 9, 2024.
He was one of two NFL players, along with multiple college athletes, there to be mentors for young athletes with diabetes in attendance. At his drill, he showed the young athletes how to run a few routes and even tried his hand at QB throwing to them. Most importantly, he made sure to take part in celebrating after each rep with each athlete based on their method of choice. Mitchell said most chose to Griddy.
And Mitchell has a message for all the young athletes out there who, like him, have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Step one: Get your Dexcom it's a life changer. Step two: Yes, we are diabetics, but at the end of the day, we can live a normal life. Just because you are a diabetic that doesn't define who you are. Don't tell yourself you can't do something; you can do the same things other athletes without diabetes can do, and there's nothing saying you can't do it even better than them.
– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell
Predictions for Indianapolis Colts 2024 2nd round pick Adonai Mitchell’s rookie NFL season
The Indianapolis Colts drafted WR Adonai Mitchell with the 52nd pick in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He entered training camp knowing he would be competing with Alec Pierce for the team's final starting outside wide receiver job. While we don't know who won that job yet, the rookie WR has impressed many […]
