Justin Fields, who has raised skepticism throughout the draft process despite a remarkable career at Ohio State (not to mention his considerable athletic traits), revealed to teams that he is managing epilepsy, a neurologic disorder that can sometimes trigger seizures. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Fields takes medication for his epilepsy and hasn’t experienced any recent symptoms. The former Heisman finalist insists the condition won’t impact his career and believes he’ll eventually outgrow it (if he hasn’t already), as many of his family members have.
A few players over the years have watched their draft stock plummet due to health concerns including Montez Sweat of the Washington Football Team, who fell to the end of the first round in 2019 after he was misdiagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It remains to be seen how teams will account for Fields’ epilepsy in next week’s draft, though it’s admirable how forthcoming and transparent he’s been about his condition.
Many would argue Fields has been subject to unfair criticism relative to other QB prospects (including the less established likes of Zach Wilson, who scouts continue to fawn over despite rarely being tested at BYU), with media members like Dan Orlovsky perpetuating suspect narratives about his work ethic and other perceived shortcomings. Epilepsy will be another obstacle to navigate, though the fact that we’re just hearing about it now suggests it wasn’t an issue for Fields at Ohio State and shouldn’t have much bearing on his pro career either.
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