Dion Jordan’s Long Road Back to the NFL

The Seahawks defensive end battled back from addiction and injuries to return to the league.

Dion Jordan
Seattle Seahawks' Dion Jordan celebrates his sack of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

A new Sports Illustrated story studies the turbulent career of Seahawks defensive end Dion Jordan. The third overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Miami Dolphins, Jordan spent several of his first years in the league struggling with alcohol addiction and serving suspensions for drug use. When Jordan was suspended for the entire 2015 season, his addiction worsened and he was presumed a major draft bust. Thanks to trainer Tareq Azim, Jordan got help, entering counseling, Alcoholics Anonymous, and a vigorous fitness program. Now, having overcome his addiction, multiple injuries, and a release by the Dolphins, Jordan has had an effective debut with the Seattle Seahawks, recording three sacks in four games. Surviving both a year-long suspension and an 1,000-day break from competitive football makes  Jordan’s comeback a rare case.

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