Just a week before the NFL Draft, it's been revealed that Justin Fields has been managing epilepsy, a condition that can cause seizures.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Fields has confirmed his condition with NFL teams throughout the draft process, but it has not affected Fields on the field and he's expected to outgrow the condition as his family members have in their 20s.
The illness has not affected Justin Fields on the field, and other family members have outgrown it in their 20s. The prognosis from doctors is that Fields should be in the same situation. Fields symptoms have shorter and less frequent over the past few years. https://t.co/Zcp4MqcG08
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2021
Fields was diagnosed with epilepsy as a youth, Rapoport reports, and he has seen his symptoms get shorter and less frequent over time, and does not have seizures as long as he takes his medication.
According to Rapoport, Fields has been taking his medication and has not had any recent issues and it's possible he could have already outgrown the condition. During his time at Ohio State, he never missed a game due to his condition – or for any other reason, for that matter.
Justins health, toughness and work ethic have never been an issue and I am incredibly proud of his professionalism and the character he displays on and off the field. The fact that he never missed a game at Ohio State speaks volumes about how he takes care of himself.
— Ryan Day (@ryandaytime) April 21, 2021
Fields would not be the first player managing epilepsy to have a successful NFL career; a number of epileptic players have played in the NFL throughout the years, including Tiki Barber, Samari Rolle, Jason Snelling, and Hall of Famer Alan Faneca, who voiced his support for Fields on Twitter:
If I did it, so can @justnfields, and so can anyone else. It is part of us, but does not define us! #epilepsy #neverstopdreaming https://t.co/4DeAx5g3Dk
— Alan Faneca (@afan66) April 21, 2021
One of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft, Fields is unanimously projected to be selected in the first round, possibly as high as the No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers.
