NFL player and Selma native Michael Johnson announced Tuesday that he will retire from football.
In an emotional speech during the opening of the Best Buy Teen Tech Center his foundation is funding, Johnson said he is leaving the NFL. His last team was the Cincinnati Bengals. After the season, he had hip surgery.
He said it is time to move into the next phase of his life and is not retiring from working. Johnson said he will continue his philanthropic and business ventures. One of the main points he made is that he now can spend more time with his family.
“I want to spend time growing as a man, as a husband and as a father.”
Johnson played high school football at Dallas County High School where he excelled at football but also graduated valedictorian of his class. He played college ball at Georgia Tech where in 2008 he was voted first team All American and got first team All ACC honors among other awards. In 2009, Johnson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the NFL draft. In March 2013, the Bengals put a non-exclusive tag on Johnson and in March 2014 he was picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His time with the Bucs was marred by injuries and exactly one year later Tampa Bay released him. He was re-signed by the Bengals in 2015. His contract was up after the 2018 season and the Bengals did not re-sign him.
Johnson said he is at peace with his decision and is excited about entering the next phase of his life.
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