Norman, OK — In a shocking turn of events, Oklahoma Sooners star wide receiver Malik Johnson has announced his immediate retirement from football due to a sudden health scare.
The 21-year-old junior, who led the Sooners last season with 1,245 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, revealed in an emotional statement Thursday that he has been diagnosed with a rare heart condition discovered during routine offseason medical checks.
“This is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Johnson wrote. “But after meeting with doctors and my family, it’s clear that stepping away from football is the best decision for my health and future.”
Johnson’s retirement leaves a major hole in Oklahoma’s offense heading into the upcoming season. Head coach Brent Venables called the news “heartbreaking” but emphasized that Johnson’s health comes first.
“Malik is an incredible athlete, but more importantly, he’s an incredible young man,” Venables said. “We’re going to support him 100 percent through this.”
Teammates and fans flooded social media with messages of support, with quarterback Jace Miller posting, “Love you, bro. You’ll always be part of this family.”
While Johnson’s playing days are over, he hinted he hopes to stay involved with the team in some capacity.
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