Rod Johnson’s life changed on April 3.
In one play, his football career was finished.
During a scrimmage on April 3, Johnson went down with what was originally thought to be a stinger.
It was much worse than that.
UF doctors diagnosed Johnson with congenital cervical stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal enveloping the spinal cord, not allowing enough fluid to gather around the spinal cord to protect it from injury.
Football can be a cruel sport.
But Johnson is seeing things half glass full.
He will have a role on the football team as a student assistant.
Here’s his full statement:
“Spinal Stenosis --April 3, 2015 --the day that changed my life. It’s hard to walk away from this game, and it’s dearly easy to fall in love with when you have the right mindset and dedication. I enjoyed my time as a Gator from the first day I got that call from Coach Muschamp. I instantly fell in love with a school I didn’t like since I was a kid. I had a tough time trying to enroll due to my grades. I pulled through with the love and support from the UF staff. Taking the redshirt my first year was rough, so going into my freshman year I took it more serious. Listening to coach Summers coach and trusting his technique made me a great offensive lineman and I always had heart, of course. It’s a tough time as I try to move forward, but I still have some positives on the situation. I get to stand and talk to you instead of being in a wheelchair. I would like to say thanks to the coaching staff from coach Mac all the way down to the graduate assistants. Being in a highly powered offense, I wanted to prove I was a great athlete even when my knee bothered me sometimes. In looking forward to what the future brings, I look to be a great assistant coach and make sure these 2015 offensive lineman know what it takes to be a Gator, and for that, I love Gator Nation. You turned me from a boy to a man. I want to see my teammates be great because it can be taken away from you in just one play.”
Johnson played in all 12 games last season was going to be looked upon as being one of the key cogs on a depleted offensive line heading into the 2015 season.
While his playing days are done, he will now focus on helping the offensive line get ready for the upcoming season.
Follow Luis Torres on Twitter @LFTorresIII
