JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor says he was never told by doctors during his 13-year career that he had suffered a fractured collarbone and injuries in each shoulder.
Taylor said on his official Twitter account Wednesday morning that he underwent a full orthopedic exam in Chicago last week, and 11 MRIs and 12 X-rays revealed that he had partially torn labrums in each shoulder and at one point suffered a fractured clavicle.
Taylor tweeted that the doctors he was referred to by the NFL never informed him of those injuries.
Visited Chicago last week for full Ortho exam. Took 11 MRIs and 12 X-rays. Got results yesterday. Somehow I played career with fractured->
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
clavicle, 2 partially torn labrum, one in each shoulder. I'm Appalled! I was never told this as a player. Oversight? Or BS!
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
I've always gotten a sensation n my shoulders but I though it was fatigue. All these years have passd and now I discover my shoulders jackd
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
Even through all the injuries and the lingering injuries, somehow The league still manage to deny my "Line of Duty" benefit 3 times.
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
Seems the "neutral doctors" we are referred to by the league overlooked the injuries and issues I currently deal with. Nice job guys
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
A phone message left for Taylor has not yet been returned.
Taylor also said via Twitter that he was releasing this information to let people know what NFL players deal with in terms of injuries as well as to illuminate what he called "shady practices."
They gave me this stupid nickname "fragile Freddy" after I had TORN my groin off the bone. Somehow it 2 was diagnosed as a minor strain 🤔
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
I didn't complain or make an excuse to the media. I kept smiling, kept my cool, fought back and finished Top 15th rusher all-time.
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
The Jaguars selected Taylor with the ninth overall pick in 1998, and he went on to become the franchise's all-time leading rusher (11,271 yards). He still holds 15 career, single-season and single-game records -- including the only 200-yard rushing game in team history (234 yards against Pittsburgh in 2000) -- and was inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars in 2012.
Taylor is employed by the Jaguars, providing pregame analysis via the stadium's video boards.
He played 11 seasons for the Jaguars (1998-2008) before spending two seasons with New England. His 11,695 career rushing yards ranks 16th in NFL history.