Throughout the 2021 draft process, no prospect has been under a more unforgiving microscope than Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. Despite the fact that he completed 68.4% of his passes over the last two seasons with the Buckeyes for 5,373 yards, 63 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, Fields has been questioned as a *deep breath* one-read quarterback (not true), a slow processor (also not true), a “last-one-out/first-one-in” guy (absolutely not true), a bust like every other Ohio State quarterback (as if everyone from Art Schlichter to Cardale Jones is Fields’ fault, and all Ohio State quarterbacks are built in a secret factory somewhere), and a problematic mechanical thrower because he played baseball in high school (quick — go tell Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, and Matthew Stafford).
Now, sadly, there may be another way in which sideline scouts can go after Fields’ NFL potential. And while it’s somewhat serious, it’s manageable and may not affect Fields’ future at all. Per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Fields has informed NFL teams that he has managed epilepsy since he was a child. Per the report, Fields takes medication for the condition, a neurological disorder that can cause seizures, and he’s never missed any time on the field or in practice because of it. Moreover, doctors are confident that Fields will eventually grow out of the condition, as other family members have.
Hall of Fame offensive guard Alan Faneca, who made nine Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams, played with epilepsy his entire career, and offered encouragement to Fields after the news came out.
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
Faneca played for 13 seasons with no ill effects. Rapoport and Pelissero also pointed out that in 2007, Ravens safety Samari Rolle missed six games with three major seizures before doctors corrected his medication.
Now, team doctors are investigating whether concussions could exacerbate Fields’ condition. According to a 2004 study by the National Library of Medicine, “A close temporal relationship between mild head injury and a worsening of seizure control was observed in five patients with epilepsy. Although further study is required, this observation suggests that a head injury that would be considered benign in the general population can have serious consequences such as recurrence of seizures and medical intractability in patients with epilepsy.”
However, seizures can also be caused by head trauma in non-epileptic patients.
What does this mean for Fields’ draft stock? That’s yet to be determined, but by all accounts, Fields’ epilepsy is manageable, under control, and has never caused reduced playing time. And since teams have already been aware of it, it would now be up to the media tied to the Draft Industrial Complex to handle the story responsibly.
Based on recent history, good luck with that part.