Jon Feliciano

BIOGRAPHY

Jon Feliciano began his life on February 10, 1992, in East Meadow, New York. Born into a diverse household, his father, Rafael Feliciano, of Puerto Rican descent was a former MTA bus driver. His mother, of Sicilian heritage, moved with Jon and his younger brother to South Florida, seeking new opportunities in the mid-90s. As a child, Jon’s passion leaned more towards video games and basketball rather than football.

The turn of the millennium found Jon and his family relocating to Davie, Florida, where Jon started to showcase his athletic talents at Western High School. He merged his love for basketball with a growing interest in football. However, their family life during this time was marked by relentless hardships, including his mother’s battle with cancer and inadequate household income. So difficult were these circumstances that for periods during his adolescence, Jon and his family were homeless and often hungry. These challenging experiences did not dampen Feliciano’s spirits; instead, it spurred his determination to succeed.

Jon’s high school football prowess was undeniable. Rated a three-star recruit and the 19th best offensive guard nationwide by Scout.com, he was a standout student-athlete. His talents on the gridiron had attracted collegiate football programs like the University of Akron, Florida International University, and San Diego State University, but Miami was his dream destination. In 2008, Jon attended the University of Miami spring scrimmage armed with a highlight reel showcasing his formidable skills on the field. His performance caught the eyes of coach Tommie Robinson, who promptly offered him a scholarship.

The gradual ascent of Feliciano’s football career continued. In his early years at Miami, he practiced with the team, eventually joining the main squad in 2011, playing in a majority of the season’s games and leaving impressive stats, including a perfect record of zero sacks allowed.

As his collegiate career continued, Feliciano developed into a linchpin for the Hurricanes offensive line, contributing to the team’s success in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). His efforts were recognized multiple times by All-ACC honorable mentions. Simultaneously, he was a top student, earning his bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management in 2014.

In the 2015 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Feliciano in the fourth round. His stint with the Raiders experienced ups and downs due to injuries, leading to his placement on their injured reserve. Demonstrating his undying determination, Feliciano returned stronger to sign a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2019, where he excelled as their right guard and was even shortlisted for the Pro Bowl.

Despite suffering a shoulder injury and tearing his pectoral muscle in 2020, nothing could keep Feliciano down for long. He made an impressive comeback, starting nine games for the Bills and earning his second Pro Bowl mention. In recognition of his outstanding resilience and spirit, he was awarded the Bills’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award.

In 2021, the Bills signed Feliciano for a three-year extension, keeping him on as a starting left guard. However, a calf injury caused him to be placed on injured reserve.

After being released by the Bills in 2022, Feliciano signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants and later the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers deployed him as a guard, a position he had grown accustomed to during his successful career. Not only was Feliciano instrumental in their 2023 Super Bowl run, which unfortunately ended in a loss against the Chiefs, but he also started making a name for himself as a Super Bowl LVIII starter.

Despite an injury scare in August 2024, Feliciano showed once again that he could overcome any obstacle, re-signing with the 49ers and gearing up for another exciting NFL season. Seized by an undying commitment to the sport, an unrivaled determination, and an indomitable spirit, Feliciano’s life and career continue to be a testament to resilience and the human will to overcome adversity.