LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Justin Fields He regained consciousness at the back of an ambulance, but had no memory of what had just happened. He was “a little off” when he left ninth grade and headed for Harrison High School in Kennesaw.
Fields claimed that he had zoned out several times while sitting in class. Later, Fields would find out that he had suffered a seizure.
The 23-year old Chicago Bears According to the Epilepsy Foundation, quarterback was just 15 years old when he was diagnosed with epilepsy. It is the fourth most common neurological disorder worldwide.
Fields revealed that she was crying because she did not know how it would impact her football career.
It turned out that it hasn’t had any effect on it. Fields is emerging in his second season as one of the most prolific NFL rushing quarterbacks. This season, Fields leads all QBs in rushing yards with 834, even though he missed Sunday’s game due to a separated left shoulder. Fields, despite a rough rookie season, was starting to live up the expectations of his shoulder injury. Fields rushed for 178 yard against the Super Bowl. Miami Dolphins In Week 9. In Week 9. Green Bay Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox) In Chicago
The Bears traded nine spots to pick Fields No. Former Bears GM Ryan Pace was fired last season after finishing 11th overall. He said that Chicago was happy to draft Fields No. 11 in the 2021 draft because of his handling of his condition.
Fields shared his story about the journey from ninth grade to understanding the warning signs, the preventative measures he uses every day, and finally to the possibility of overcoming the condition. While he used to avoid talking about epilepsy at times, he now wants to raise awareness and serve as a role model for others.
“I THINK THEY” Fields stated that he tried to get the rest of the children out of class during his seizure. “They said I was foaming in the mouth and stuff like this.”
After a round of testing, including a CT scan and electroencephalogram, where electrodes were placed onto Fields’ scalp to record the electrical activity of his brain, doctors determined he had epilepsy.
After learning that Fields’ mother Gina Tobey also had epilepsy, they formed a connection. Tobey was diagnosed in seventh grade. She said she was able overcome her condition around age 19.
Jacqueline French (chief medical officer of Epilepsy Foundation, and professor of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine) stated that “Absolutely it is possible to outgrow” the condition. There are certain types of epilepsy you can outgrow and others you cannot.
Tobey believes her doctors believed that she was puberty which caused the onset and progression of her epilepsy. She also thinks it might have been the case for Fields. French explained that epilepsy can be triggered by puberty due to the effect hormones can have upon a person’s seizure threshold.
Tobey shared her experience with Fields and highlighted warning signs for a possible seizure. She advised Fields to be diligent in taking his medication. Fields takes four pills each morning to prevent seizures.
He stated that the seizures occurred approximately one year apart and that his last seizure was sometime before the draft.
Fields explained that she had never had any problems with her medication and was able to get the necessary treatment. “There was one instance when I had one. I wanted to see if it went away, as my mom did. Let me see if it did. I don’t even have the time to play with it.”
Tobey observed a change in her son’s experience.
She said, “What I noticed was different about me was his recovery times.” A seizure is like shaking a cup of coffee. Your brain is like moving around in your head.
“At the end, you have monster migraines. For me, it would take one to two days for me to recover. He can usually sleep through it, as it takes him about two to three hours.
FIELDS IS WELL-VERSED Learn how to manage a possible seizure.
“I know I have one coming. I forget everything and then boom, 30 second later I’m locked in and then it’ll be repeated two or three times,” he stated. Once I’ve done it twice or three times, I know that something is coming.
When he senses that a seizure is imminent, he immediately lies down and tries his best to rest.
He said, “The last one that I had I felt it immediately. So I laid down and it was still there.” “I went to bed. “I think I had it in my sleeping, and then I woke to find my head hurting.
“So I knew I had a seizure when I woke up with my head hurting. My body is sore. Seizures cause muscle flexors that can last for up to 45 seconds. Knowing I’m about for one, I try to fall asleep and lay down when it happens.
Fields can empathize with his parents, Pablo, who was a Harrison High School resource officer and is now a retired Atlanta officer.
“I don’t think you can do anything if you see your child on the ground having a seizure. Fields explained that you have to wait until your child wakes up. It’s likely to be very scary for them. They are a pain to see, and I know that my dad.
He insists that I take my medicine, get enough sleep and not stay up late. He used to tell me every night that he loves it when I sleep. He won’t tell you to do anything when I’m asleep, because he knows that sleep will help.
Fields could eventually outgrow his seizures. But, for now, Tobey isn’t taking any chances.
“He’s 23 but I still say, “Are you taking your medicine ?”’?” “He’s 23 but I’m still going to say ‘Are you taking your medicine?'” she replied. “Just because that’s how mothers do it when it comes to all things.”
FIELDS SAYED HE Never miss a game due to epilepsy, from high school through college Georgia Ohio State In the NFL.
Fields stated, “That was my first fear.” When I was first diagnosed I was like “Dang, football is what I fear — I get hit in my head all the time.” I don’t know if I will be able play for a long period of time. However, I didn’t think it was a lengthy conversation with the neuroologist.
French explained that doctors recommend caution when playing contact sports with epilepsy. But there are no absolutes about whether someone can play football. French stated that the key is to ensure that epilepsy is properly managed.
French stated that if it is not controlled, there is the possibility of someone having an altered awareness intermittently. If that were to happen, then that would be a serious problem that would need to be discussed.
She stated that they don’t want people with epilepsy to be in a glass case. Every conversation with them is: What’s the benefit? What does this all mean for you? What is the risk? However, at the end, you have the power to decide what you do if you are of legal age.
Three sources from the AFC and one from NFC told ESPN that Fields’ epilepsy came up during conversations when they were evaluating him as a draft prospect. But, because of his ability to manage the condition, it was not considered a reason for not drafting him.
“[Fields has] Pace explained that Fields was a person who has handled a lot these things throughout his entire life. We were comfortable with the way he handled that.
Fields claimed that he didn’t recall any conversations about his epilepsy in his pre-draft visits with teams. David Mulugheta, Athletes First’s agent, prepared Fields for any questions.
Fields explained that while it may seem crazy, at the end it is a business.
Ryan Day, Ohio State coach, posted on Twitter in support of Fields’ epilepsy before the draft. This was after Fields’ diagnosis. It was also the first time that an OSU quarterback led the Buckeyes to consecutive playoffs. Fields was a sophomore and finished third in Heisman voting.
Day tweeted that Justin’s “health, toughness, and work ethic have never been an obstacle” and that he is proud of the professionalism and character he displays off the field. He never missed a Ohio State game, which speaks volumes about how well he takes care.
Fields isn’t the only epileptic to play in the NFL. Former Pittsburgh Steelers Guard Alan Faneca talked about his experiences with epilepsy in his Hall of Fame Induction speech in Aug 2021.
Faneca tweeted, “If I did it so can Justin Fields and so can anyone else,” after hearing about Fields’ epilepsy. “It is part and parcel of us, but it does not define us!”
French thanked Fields for sharing the story of his journey and helping to spread awareness. Fields, like Faneca is determined to break stigmas and inspire others, particularly children with epilepsy.
Fields stated, “It’s just like that, bringing more awareness then also giving those children hope.”
This report was contributed by Jeremy Fowler, ESPN NFL Insider.