Former Washington Husky star Austin Seferian-Jenkins is looking to turn things around after a tumultuous start in the NFL. According to an Associated Press story, the New York Jets tight end found himself out of shape, in trouble with the law and labeled a second-round bust.
“It really didn’t have anything to do with football,” Seferian-Jenkins told the AP, reflecting on the last several months, which included treatment for alcohol abuse. “It just had to do with, as a person, there comes a certain time in your life when your life could go one direction or the other and I felt it going in a direction I didn’t want it to go.
Seferian-Jenkins, who was arrested for DUI in Florida last September, quit drinking in January and received outpatient rehab treatment. He eventually pleaded no contest in February to a reduced charge of reckless driving. He was also cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who selected him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
He has a second chance with the Jets who claimed him of waivers during the 2016 season. The Gig Harbor native is making the most of his opportunity with changes to his diet and the addition of aerobics and yoga to his workout routine.
Back in the July, the 24-year old told newyorkjets.com, “I feel like a different person on and off the field. The weight loss has been tremendous and I’m just really happy I have the opportunity to show the Jets taking a chance on me is going to pay off,” said Seferian-Jenkins. “I’m just trying to work every single day on the team like everybody else.”
He still faces a suspension for the first two games of the coming season for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Seferian-Jenkins is trying to live up to the promise he showed at the University of Washington. after being named second team All Pac-12 twice and winning the John Mackey Award in 2013 as college football’s most outstanding tight end.
In his three NFL seasons, Seferian-Jenkins has played in 25 games, totaling 55 catches for 713 yards and 7 touchdowns.
(KPUG – Doug Lange with information from Associated Press & www.newyorkjets.com )
