Troubled tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins already has a mentor in the New York Jets' locker room: Brandon Marshall.
When the star wide receiver learned Seferian-Jenkins was arrested for DUI last Friday, resulting in his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he called immediately -- before the Jets claimed him on waivers.
"We've been talking for a while. He's a great talent," Marshall told reporters Tuesday at a charity event in Manhattan. "When I heard [Monday] we claimed him, I was like, 'This is God-sent.' If he needs me, I'm there. I've already connected him with the right people in the city if he needs them."
"Guys need second chances. When you make a mistake, it doesn't mean you are a bad person. You need people to believe in you, and sometimes a fresh start is a good start."Brandon Marshall, on Austin Seferian-Jenkins
The Jets don't have any proven pass-catching tight ends, so they decided to take a chance on Seferian-Jenkins, who also had a DUI arrest in 2013 while playing for the University of Washington. Last week's arrest produced an embarrassing dash-cam video from a police car in Tampa, Florida.
Team officials have yet to comment on Seferian-Jenkins.
"Guys need second chances," Marshall said. "When you make a mistake, it doesn't mean you are a bad person. You need people to believe in you, and sometimes a fresh start is a good start."
Marshall speaks from experience. He has been arrested several times and was traded by three teams. He was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and created his own foundation -- 375 Project -- to raise mental health awareness.
"I would say this: We don't know if those are his issues," Marshall said of Seferian-Jenkins. "I had a DUI before. And you live and you learn. There are a lot of people that make terrible decisions, but it doesn't make them terrible people."