FSU football fans already had North Alabama on its short list of things to dislike. However, former FSU great Jordan Travis's posting he planned to retire from football on Wednesday was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Jordan Travis was leading FSU to an undefeated season and in contention to be a Heisman Trophy finalist when he got tackled on the run early in the game against North Alabama in November 2023.
FSU was losing the game but came from behind to keep its undefeated season intact. The injury probably cost Jordan Travis some money as he slid to the fifth round with the New York Jets selecting him. He likely would have gone in the third round or better if not for the season-ending injury.
Nearly two years later, after hours and months of rehabbing, Jordan Travis had to make a decision and retire before his leg wasn't fully responding to the rehab process.
FSU fans immediately declared North Alabama an enemy of the state now and forever:
I don't think the North Alabama player intentionally tried to end the career of Jordan Travis, but FSU has had nothing but bad news since that injury happened.
They got snubbed from the College Football Playoffs a few weeks later, smoked in the Orange Bowl, and went 2-10 last season after starting the season inside the top 10 nationally. That one injury set off a chain of events that have sent FSU football fans reeling on an emotional rollercoaster, and knowing that injury prevents Jordan Travis from playing one snap in the NFL and not achieving his dream is heartbreaking.
I hope FSU and Mike Norvell provide an opportunity for him to work or coach immediately if that's the route he wants to go. He was arguably the biggest catalyst to saving Mike Norvell's job after the 2021 season.
Here's to Jordan Travis getting everything owed in the future, an FSU legend forever.