Oakland Raiders defensive end Dion Jordan wasted no time in making his presence felt after coming aboard following his 10-game suspension to start the 2019 NFL season.
Jordan has managed to provide some much-needed depth to the Raiders’ pass rush heading into the final stretch of the year. After enduring his fair share of struggles both on and off the field, he now finds himself playing meaningful football once again.
There are few players that have been able to overcome the kind of trials and tribulations he has for another shot at a consistent NFL career. This gives Jordan plenty to be thankful for around this time of year.
Jordan is admittedly happy to be doing what he loves for the holidays and the opportunity the Raiders have given him, via Scott Bair of NBC Sports:
“I love what I’m doing and where I’m at,” Jordan said after Thursday’s practice. “This time of year is football season for players and fans. To be in this locker room and experience it from the inside, to be a part of a team again is so special. I am more than grateful. I am more than thankful. I appreciate this opportunity and the teammates around me who have made this such a positive experience.”
Jordan added that he is focused on giving his all one day at a time:
“Every day when I wake up in the morning, I think about what I have to do that day to get where I want to go,” Jordan said. “That’s the path that led me to this point. I get my a– up and I work and I give the day everything I have. I give full effort in everything. That’s all people can ask for and all I can do. My mindset is this: if you do that day after day after day, good things will happen.”
It is encouraging to see that Jordan has seemingly managed to flourish in the environment that Oakland has provided. The combination of familiar faces and the chance to play a role on a competitive team has clearly paid huge dividends for him while he continues to find his footing.
The stigma of being taken with the third overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft will follow Jordan the rest of his career. Although it remains to be seen if his tenure in Oakland will last beyond the 2019 campaign, it is safe to say that the fresh start with the Raiders was just what he needed to get back on the right track after completing multiple drug-related suspensions.
It helps that Jordan’s teammates have welcomed him with open arms, particularly Darren Waller, who has dealt with addiction struggles of his own and recently said he is committed to providing a positive environment for his new teammate in Oakland.
