New York Jets TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins celebrating one year of sobriety

New York Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins enjoyed a solid 2017 campaign with his new team. He’s also now celebrating one full calendar year of sobriety.

New York Jets fans can be proud of tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins today, as he posted on his Instagram page that he has been sober for one year.

Reflect. A word I became so familiar with 365 days ago. I had to reflect and evaluate where I was in my life. Reflect on where I wanted to be: as a brother, a son, an athlete, but most importantly a person in this world. 365 days ago I had to come to the realization that what I was doing was never going to reflect who I knew I was meant to be if I didn’t change. Seeing the reflection of myself in the mirror and asking myself, are you ready for this change? I wrote the numbers 1 through 365 down on a piece of paper as a countdown. Giving myself the reminder that I needed to take one day at a time. That it was a journey not just a chapter in a story. I reflected on all those that I had hurt and the person who I had been hurting the most through it all, myself. Each day I would put an X through the day of sobriety I was on. Today, number 365. I can’t help to reflect on all the days that brought me to this moment. To few people who have been by my side through it all. My Mom for her endless amounts of prayers and encouragement when I needed it most. My family for their support through the most pressing times. My @nyjets Coaches and Teammates I could never repay them for their belief in me, not as an athlete but as a human. My friends who knew when to keep me in line and would keep me constant. The fans from all over the world who although I may not have responded, their stories of being sober inspire me more than words can describe. And as I put the final X through number 365 I did the same thing when I started this journey; reflect. Reflect on all the blessings that I have. Reflect on the fact that I’m not the only one out there battling this and I’m not alone. Reflect that I have a platform that has allowed me to inspire and be an example. Reflect on the next 365 days of continuing to be sober! . . ?: @sam.maller . #365 #Complete #Sobriety #MyThoughts #MyWords #Growth #Blessed #Thankful #LaserFocus #ODAAT

A post shared by Austin Seferian-Jenkins (@i.am.asj) on Jan 20, 2018 at 7:00am PST

Seferian-Jenkins has been open about his struggles with alcoholism after checking into rehab at the end of last season.

He was picked up by the Jets after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released him following a DUI arrest in 2016. At one point, he said that he thought his NFL career was finished after last season. It wasn’t, and he took advantage of the extra opportunity.

In his post, Seferian-Jenkins went out of his way to thank the Jets for giving him a chance and thanked his teammates and coaches for helping him through his first year of sobriety, in addition to thanking his mother.

The tight end is a free agent if the Jets don’t re-sign him, but he enjoyed a great season for the Jets. He finished with career highs in catches with 50 and yards with 357 while added three touchdowns. ESNY’s Matthew Castillo named him Mr. Must-Return in his superlatives piece, a sentiment ESNY’s Paul Esden echoed.

He has 60 reception for 467 yards and the three touchdowns he scored in 2017 during his tenure with the Jets and career totals of 105 receptions, 1,070 yards, and 10 touchdowns during his four-year NFL career. He served as a spark for the offense this season.

His breakout season helped quarterback Josh McCown have a great season, supplying a great check-down option for the veteran. This was especially important with top wide receiver Quincy Enunwa out for the season. A sure-handed tight end in the flats allows a quarterback to take a little longer going through his progressions, a big deal considering how suspect the offensive line play was at times.

It was a great year for Seferian-Jenkins on the field, but an even better year for him off it.