Imagine for a moment that your craft is taken away from you instantly. You have poured blood, sweat and tears into this untouchable talent you have and one day it’s gone. That is the story of former Florida Gators offensive lineman, Rod Johnson.
Johnson, who was a four star recruit coming out of high school was forced to retire from football in mid-April because of a diagnosis with congenital cervical stenosis. This condition is where the spinal canal of the neck is narrower than normal and actually increases an athlete’s risk of a spinal cord injury. At the time of his retirement Johnson seemed fine with everything, however on Friday he let off a little steam on twitter. Johnson explained how football was his way of taken care of his family and he also questioned how God could waste his golden ticket. Football was not just a game to Rod Johnson. It was his means to survive.
Rod Johnson was supposed to be counted on to help an offensive line that was left depleted after losing multiple starters to the NFL. The injury was once thought to be only a stinger, but unfortunately that was not the case.
Sports can be a very important part of an individual’s life. It is a brotherhood that is formed from the constant effort you and your teammates are putting in. To become a college football player at the University of Florida requires constant sacrifice. Sacrifice that not every person can handle. To give that up and also your NFL dream, can be downright heartbreaking.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Associated Press
