Jaelan Phillips, the Miami Dolphins edge rusher, bared his soul about the mental challenges of being an NFL player in a recent Instagram post. Reflecting on his struggles to maintain self-belief during the football season, Phillips opened up about the weight of self-worth and confidence tied to on-field performance.
“It takes a concerted effort to change my way of thinking in those moments, and see the failure/adversity as a learning experience instead of the end of the world,” Phillips wrote. “I pick my head up, and fall back on routine and discipline, which are the only things that matter. It’s about the process, not the results.”
The 25-year-old emphasized the importance of perseverance and self-belief, urging himself to keep pushing forward despite setbacks. “It’s so much easier to spiral and self-deprecate, but nothing good is ever easy. Keep chopping wood, things will get better, you can do it … believe in yourself! And trust God.”
Despite his struggles, Phillips has been a stalwart contributor for the Dolphins since entering the NFL. In his first two seasons, he amassed an impressive 15.5 sacks before a devastating Achilles tendon injury limited him to just eight games and 6.5 sacks in 2023.
Now in his fourth NFL season, Phillips has bounced back from his injury and already made an impact with two tackles and one sack through two games this season. As he continues to navigate the mental challenges of professional football, Phillips remains focused on the process and maintaining his belief in himself.
Football is not just a physical game; it takes a toll on the mental state of players like Jaelan Phillips. His candid Instagram post offers a glimpse into the inner struggles of an athlete striving to balance self-worth and performance on the field. As he continues to battle his inner demons, Phillips remains determined to push through adversity and come out stronger on the other side.
