Dion Jordan, the former first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2013 NFL Draft, is opening up about the mistakes that led to his unfulfilled career. The 34-year-old defensive end, selected by the Dolphins with the third overall pick, failed to meet the high expectations that came with being one of the most highly-touted prospects in the draft. Now, reflecting on his NFL journey, Jordan is determined to prevent future players from making the same mistakes that derailed his career.
Jordan, in an interview on The Fish Tank podcast with O.J. McDuffie and Seth Levit, acknowledged the role his personal life played in his lack of success on the field. “I didn’t have my life in order,” Jordan admitted, revealing that he struggled to balance the demands of football with the distractions of life outside the game. He reflected on how his off-field habits, such as partying and enjoying his newfound wealth, impacted his performance and commitment to the sport.
The former defensive end also confessed to struggling with the mental side of football, particularly when it came to understanding the Dolphins’ playbook. “When I left the facility, it didn’t help because I’m out partying. I’m enjoying the money that I have, and I’m just putting myself behind the eight-ball,” Jordan said. His lack of focus, combined with injuries and missing rehab sessions, only exacerbated the challenges he faced in trying to live up to the immense potential that had made him a top pick in the first place.
Jordan’s NFL career was marred by numerous setbacks, including four suspensions — three for performance-enhancing drug violations and one for Adderall. After his four years in Miami, Jordan spent brief periods with the Seattle Seahawks (2017-2018), Oakland Raiders (2019), and San Francisco 49ers (2020). Over the course of his 63 career games, he registered 108 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss (TFL), but never reached the heights expected of a third overall pick.
Despite his struggles, Jordan has found a new purpose after his playing days, now serving as the assistant head coach at Eureka College in Illinois. On the coaching staff of former NFL defensive tackle Randy Starks, Jordan is using his personal experiences to guide and mentor young players. He openly admits to his past mistakes, and his approach to coaching is centered around teaching his players not to repeat them. “Ain’t nobody else’s fault. And look, I watch these kids now and I realize what I was messing up,” Jordan shared.
Through his role as a coach, Jordan aims to help young athletes understand the importance of maintaining discipline both on and off the field. His journey serves as a cautionary tale — a reminder that talent alone is not enough to succeed in the NFL. It takes dedication, focus, and a strong work ethic to make it in the league, and Jordan’s hope is that future players can learn from his past and avoid the pitfalls that kept him from achieving his full potential.
