Total Pro Sports
Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels used a question about his Achilles injury to take a swipe at United States President Donald Trump and what he says are “illegal” deportations.
Daniels is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he sustained with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. He joined the Dolphins in the offseason and will hope to be as good as new in 2025. But he doesn’t feel too unfortunate, given what’s going on on the other end of the country at the moment.
Asked about the challenges he’s faced amid his ordeal, the OL suggested that it could be a lot worse.
“I mean, I realize I’m in a great position,” he told reporters this week. “You know, Achilles, yes it’s unfortunate, but there are people in way worse positions, you know.”
He added:
“I think, like especially with what’s happening in [Los Angeles], you know like people’s parents, people’s grandparents are being deported illegally, you know.
“Like, I don’t have to worry about my mom getting deported or my dad getting deported or my wife getting deported, you know. And I’ve played a long time. I’ve made decent money. And so, there’s a lot bigger issues that people have on their plate. So for me, going through an Achilles injury is pretty easy.”
Powerful: New Dolphins guard James Daniels on recovering from an Achilles injury:
"People's parents, people's grandparents, are being deported illegally. I've played a long time. I've made decent money. So for me, going through an Achilles injury is pretty easy."
Mic drop 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/wUrohjlhDt
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 13, 2025
James Daniels signed a three-year deal worth $24 million with the Dolphins this year. He’s heading into his eighth year in the NFL and has made a reported $58 million in total career earnings.
When put into perspective, an Achilles tear is hardly something someone in his position should be getting down on himself about, given the life he’s been blessed to have.
Also Read: Boxing Superstar Ryan Garcia Breaks Silence On ICE Raids Despite Past Support for Donald Trump
