Hurricanes DT Blissett retires from football, citing head injuries
Miami Hurricanes redshirt freshman defensive tackle Jason Blissett announced his retirement from football Monday night.
Blissett cited multiple head injuries over the course of his career in an Instagram video posted to his account.
“Football is a burden right now that I can’t deal with,” said Blissett, wearing a hat with the UM logo in his video. “It really does hurt a lot, and it hurts to walk away from it.”
In 2020, Blissett saw action in nine games, finishing with seven tackles. He redshirted his first season at Miami in 2019, playing in one game against Bethune-Cookman.
“If you’ve known me, followed me since high school, I’ve had multiple concussions and stuff like that,” he said. “Obviously, something very common in the football world. It takes a toll on you, mentally emotionally . ...
“And it’s like, you’re a football player, so you got to be a tough guy. You’re supposed to be enjoying it, embracing it. It’s okay not to be okay, really.”
Blissett arrived at UM from Poly Prep in New York. He was a four-star recruit out of high school, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.
“Football’s done a lot for me,” said Blissett, who added he has played the sport since he was 7. “But there’s a lot that comes with it that doesn’t get talked about enough.”
Blissett said he’s still proud to have been a Hurricane.
“I’m still going to be a ’Cane all the way, still supporting my boys 100%,” he said. “They’re going to put on for real, with or without me. I know that.
“I’m going to be on the sideline — whatever I can do — I’m going to be screaming my head off in my room. I don’t care. Y’all going to hear me. It’s just love, always.”
While Miami will have to find two new starters at defensive end in 2021, the
Hurricanes return much of their experience inside at defensive tackle. Nesta Silvera and Jonathan Ford opted to return to UM next season instead of declaring for the NFL draft, and redshirt freshman Jared Harrison-Hunte, who was part of the same 2019 recruiting class with Blissett, is also returning.
In addition, the team welcomes five-star recruit Leonard Taylor from Miami Palmetto, along with Chaminade-Madonna incoming freshman Allan Haye. Miami also has redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller, redshirt freshman Jalar Holley and freshmen Elijah Roberts and Quentin Williams who can line up at defensive tackle.