Draft: Justin Fields confirms that he has epilepsy

[KDPPatsfan85]

That might lower his draft stock...

 

[Froob]

So what’s this really mean? Isn’t that kind of a problem with flashing colors and stuff? Kinda hard to see how it’ll be a problem as it relates to football but, I don’t know much about it.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

If Fields falls to #15 this is a no brainer to take the kid.

Before all the draft politicking and draft smearing, this kid was basically called a taller Russell Wilson. Elite elite passing accuracy and a 4.4 40. He's what Madden Michael Vick was supposed to be....

.

 

[fnordcircle]

 

[patman12]

So what’s this really mean? Isn’t that kind of a problem with flashing colors and stuff? Kinda hard to see how it’ll be a problem as it relates to football but, I don’t know much about it.

Sure, strobing lights can be a seizure trigger. So can weigh fluctuations, sleep deprivation, stress, alcohol consumption, missed med doses, co-morbid conditions, low blood sugar, and on and on. It's really varies by person.

And breakthrough seizures can also happen, even if a person is well regulated on medication. It's a risk but entirely manageable.

 

[VrabelJr]

Cam saw colors last year too. Unfortunately the colors he saw were the other team’s.

 

[Lansdowne]

Maybe it makes Justin Fields’ draft stock fall, maybe it doesn’t, but I wouldn’t let it be a deterrent to drafting him. Alan Faneca had a HOF career in the NFL while being treated for epilepsy. Fields should be fine as long as he’s managing it with his doctor.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Exacerbation of pre-existing epilepsy by mild head injury​

Exacerbation of pre-existing epilepsy by mild head injury: a five patient series - PubMed

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...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

So raises concussion risk, perhaps significantly.

 

[mgteich]

Maybe it makes Justin Fields’ draft stock fall, maybe it doesn’t, but I wouldn’t let it be a deterrent to drafting him. Alan Faneca had a HOF career in the NFL while being treated for epilepsy. Fields should be fine as long as he’s managing it with his doctor.

His draft stock will fall. Folks talked about trading 2 #1's and 2 #2's (or close for the #4 pick whether for Lance or Fields. I can't see teams trading multiple top picks for Fields now.

Also, I think that we can put the first three picks in PEN.

 

[Clonamery]

Two of my siblings as teens each had a major epileptic episode, were medicated and never had another seizure.

 

[Kontradiction]

Two of my siblings as teens each had a major epileptic episode, were medicated and never had another seizure.

No they didn’t.

 

[mgcolby]

An epic read fail by me. I totally was thinking narcolepsy. I was like how in the hell is he going to play football. Dude just falls asleep in the huddle or at the LOS talk about a **** ton of delay of game penalties.

But even with that there is no danger to himself playing football?

 

[TheRainMaker]

It would shocking if he doesn’t drop and even taken off of many teams boards.

This is a condition not to be taken lightly.

 

[BTTA]

I knew it. Pats' PR machine is in gear. Quietly in the background, eroding at his perceived value. Love it.

 

[Triumph]

Stay away before this announcement and stay away now.

Even if he drops.

Dude is another Vince Young.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Epilepsy is usually well-managed medically, these days, other than severe cases.

Some people swear by cannibis therapy, though....

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I bet he slides out of rd 1 now. Which sucks for him.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I don't see him falling out of the top ten.

Fwiw others have dealt with it. Tiki Barber, Jason Snelling, Alan Faneca, Samari Rolle have had pretty good careers with it I believe.

 

[Ross12]

I had the same exact thought lol... The drafting team needing to manage his condition should ding his draft stock a bit, but he's still extremely good. I would think a team like NE can find a way to work around it. I'd still be perfectly happy with them taking him at #15 if he does fall or even moving up a bit... really almost a perfect storm between anonymous scouts confusingly knocking his work ethic a couple weeks ago and now this. The conspiracy theorist part of me is definitely tripped on this one.

 

[NYCPATS4LIFE]

Don’t think he’s falling.