Jets' Darrelle Revis admits: 'My body's breaking down'

It is undeniable that playing in the NFL has a tremendous impact on players’ bodies. No one is better off physically after playing in the league than they were before. The rate at which men start to have problems depends on the individual: for some it happens earlier than others, and position certainly plays a role.

But acknowledging the truth can be difficult, especially for players who carry a warrior’s mentality, proud that they are able to endure the physical demands of playing football, and acknowledging it publicly can be even tougher.

New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis has reached that conclusion, however, admitting to Newsday’s Kimberley Martin on Thursday that his body has begun to betray him.

[Play our $125K Baller | Free Yahoo Cup entry | Tips for your Daily lineup]

“My body’s breaking down,” Revis said, meaning that his recovery time is taking longer; once the most dominant cornerback in the league, at 31 years old, Revis’ aches and pains linger.

“I am. I mean, not in a bad way. I can still play,” Revis said. “It’s just, I’m breaking down. I’m 31. How many corners are 31 right now in the league? The league’s getting younger. I know [Vikings cornerback Terence] Newman’s still playing [at 38], which is impressive. But I don’t know how he’s doing it.”

The 14th overall pick in 2007, Revis has had minor injuries throughout his career, and missed the bulk of the 2012 season with a torn ACL. He said he came into this season “a few” pounds overweight after offseason wrist surgery, and that even a couple of extra pounds can impact his play.

He’s playing better right now than he did in the first couple of weeks of the season, and had a successful showing against Arizona’s perennial Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald 11 days ago.

As he talked to Martin, Revis stopped himself. “I sound like I’m retiring,” he said, chuckling.

But he’s not to that point just yet.

“I’m not thinking about retirement at this moment,” said Revis. “I’ve just got to continue to take care of my body. Some of the past injuries, they linger. They linger.”

Revis spent the bulk of his career shutting down the opponent’s best receiver, charged with shutting down half the field. But he believes that has contributed to his breaking down now.

“I did that for a number of years. When you play Cover Zero on some of the best receivers in the world, it takes a toll on your body,” he said. “And your coaches have confidence to say we trust that you’re going to shut down this guy that had 200 yards receiving and the week before he had [more]. We trust you with that job. So it’s hard. It’s a lot.”

He might not be Revis Island anymore, but as he noted, Revis still has some games left in him.