Giants 2010 third-round pick Chad Jones didn’t think about the one-year anniversary of the accident that almost took his leg. He was too busy speaking at a football camp and focusing on his rehab.
Jones has come a long way in his recovery. As Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com describes, it has been a long and painful journey that has more struggles ahead.
“It took me six months just to basically walk,” Jones said. “It took me 30 minutes to take three steps when I first started rehab in the hospital. It was excruciating pain just even standing up and letting that blood flow again through my leg.”
Jones is now able to run on a treadmill at 12 mph for 30-60 seconds, although he has to wear a boot. There have been frustrating parts of his rehab, with Jones occasionally getting depressed or burnt out for what he perceives as slow progress. His girlfriend spoke of crying with Jones when they first unpacked his bloody clothes from the accident; he lost 25 pints of blood that day.
After 12 surgeries on his leg, Jones must undergo more. Still, his doctor believes he’ll be able to train to play football again next offseason. Jones says he may try to move to linebacker from his usual safety position.
“It gives me motivation just to fight back because I almost passed away in the car and I’m just thankful for being alive for another year,” Jones said. “I’ve been through many obstacles in my life and I have conquered all of them. And I am not going to treat this any differently.”