Jets’ D.J. Reed reflects on high school ‘low point’ turned into NFL motivation

D.J. Reed signed a three-year deal with the New York Jets in 2022. Since then, he has become a crucial player for the team and is part of arguably the best cornerback duo in the league alongside Sauce Gardner.

The San Francisco 49ers drafted Reed in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The 49ers waived him in 2020, and once he signed with the Seattle Seahawks, his career took off.

Despite being only 5'9 tall, Reed has had a pretty successful career in the NFL. However, life was not always straightforward for the former Kansas State star. In high school, the Jets cornerback spent 34 days in jail after he and his friends got into a fight and stole a kid's bike. He faced robbery charges at the tender age of 16.

In a conversation with the New York Post's Steve Serby, Reed said

"That was definitely a low point in my life. I learned so much from that experience.", Reed said.

"If I didn’t go through that experience I definitely wouldn’t be in this situation that I’m in. It definitely matured me really fast. I was just focused after that happened."

Talking about his experience of spending over a month in jail, the Jets star added:

"Just the unknowing of what’s going to happen next, with having to miss my playoff games in basketball, having to watch them win the Valley championship, having to watch them go to State and I couldn’t participate … having to explain to colleges the situation that I got in, and they’re didn’t want you to recruit me because they were scared of the situation…"

Reed also mentioned that his little brother was with him during the situation. He was disappointed that his mother had to go through this type of situation, as two of her sons got arrested.

After his arrest, D.J. Reed said that his friends, teachers and people around him treated him differently. He attributes this experience to a learning curve that molded him into the successful person and leader he is today.

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D.J. Reed talked about 'devastating' Aaron Rodgers injury

New York Jets v Carolina Panthers - Source: Getty

D.J. Reed and the New York Jets came with high expectations last season, but Aaron Rodgers' injury in Week 1 completely ruined their plans. Reed referred to Rodgers' injury as 'devastating' and that it was a 'humbling experience'.

Despite poor quarterback play, the Jets won seven games last season. With Rodgers back healthy, the team is the favorite to win the AFC East.

The Jets' defense led by D.J. Reed, Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, and C.J. Mosley is one of the best defensive units in the league. Despite having the four-time NFL MVP, the defense has to be their best every week for the Jets to be Super Bowl contenders.