FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- They came from Portland, Oregon, for the game, Xavier Coleman's 14-person cheering section. They flew cross-country to witness a moment that, only five years ago, wasn't within the scope of possibility -- his first NFL game.
Coleman's mother and father were in the stands on Sunday at MetLife Stadium to watch the New York Jets play the New England Patriots. So were other family members and friends, including Coleman's cardiologist, Dr. James Beckerman.
"I wouldn't be here without him," Coleman said Thursday in the Jets' locker room, "so I had to have him there."
On July 20, 2012, Coleman underwent nine hours of open-heart surgery performed by Beckerman, who repaired a deformed aortic valve -- bicuspid aortic valve disease. Only two flaps were working, not three, and it affected his blood flow. His condition worsened to the point that the valve started to leak and his heart, working at only 40 percent capacity, began to fill with blood.
Coleman was diagnosed in 2010, when he received the crushing news that he'd never play sports again. He went through high school thinking he'd never have a football career. The surgery not only saved his life but also allowed him to play again. He caught the end of his senior year and went to Portland State. After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL draft, he signed with the Jets as a free agent.
After five weeks on the practice squad, Coleman was promoted last week to the 53-man roster. He got into the game for three plays as the slot cornerback, replacing Buster Skrine. The emotion in his cheering section was overwhelming. The heart repair gave him "a second chance at life," his mother, Christine, told ESPN in May. Who could've imagined that life would take him to the NFL?
Coleman said he was down after the game because the Jets lost, but he walked into the family area and saw the smiles and the tears.
"Obviously, my family was ecstatic," he said. "My mom was crying and my dad was so proud."
And Dr. Beckerman was there, too.
So lucky to share this amazing day with Xavs and Team Coleman - back to PDX tonight and on the wards tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/XhWMQw5SZi
— James Beckerman, MD (@jamesbeckerman) October 15, 2017
"Whether it's a heart problem or not, I can hit him up about anything, and he always responds to me," Coleman said. "As busy as he is, he always gets back to me or even my mom. We have a super tightknit relationship. It's been a crazy journey with him, starting my freshman year."
The enormity of the moment hit Coleman on the eve of the game and the following morning. By the time he got to the stadium, he was "locked in." He was a long shot to make the team, but "we loved him coming out of training camp," defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. "He has the skill set that really fits our nickel position."
Then Coleman got his shot.
"Buster cramped up and the coach called me in, and everything blacked out for a second," Coleman said. "Then it's instant focus, locked in. It was crazy. My parents were asking me how it felt. It's really unexplainable. I couldn't even explain what was going through my head. There was so much going on, but it was one of the best times I've ever had. I'll never forget that first moment in my first NFL game."
