Roderick Johnson Reflects on Past, Focuses on Future with Gators
Monday, April 20, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- This is not the plan Roderick Johnson had in mind when the Gators started spring practice last month.
A redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, Johnson envisioned playing in the Orange & Blue Debut and then spending the next several months preparing for his first season as a full-time starter on Florida's retooled offensive line.
Johnson emerged as a promising young talent and emotional leader for the Gators last season. He played in every game and started three, including the Gators' victory over East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl.
However, in a message to Gator fans provided to GatorZone.com from Johnson, he describes how his world turned upside down on a Friday afternoon earlier this month. Johnson lined up for a play as he has done countless times in his young life.
However, he didn't get up for several minutes afterward, experiencing what in football parlance is usually referred to as a “stinger.” Johnson saw white light and felt numbness in his hands and fingers.
The Gators immediately shut down Johnson for the rest of camp as team doctors and outside specialists reviewed his case.
The final diagnosis for the 21-year-old Johnson? Congenital cervical stenosis -- often referred to as spinal stenosis as well -- a narrowing of the spinal canal enveloping the spinal cord, preventing enough fluid to gather around the spinal cord to properly protect it from injury.
The Gators' medical staff and those outside experts advised Johnson to retire from the sport.
In Johnson's own words: “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 the dedication.”
A favorite among coaches and players, Johnson's enthusiasm for the game was impossible to miss when you watched him play.
Simply put, the 6-foot-6, 296-pound Johnson felt at home on the football field and playing for the Gators.
“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 (lol). I had a tough time trying to enroll due to my grades. I pulled through with the love and support from the UF staff.”
Johnson signed with the Gators in 2013 and redshirted his first season on campus. However, under the tutelage of offensive line coach Mike Summers, Johnson blossomed as a key reserve behind a veteran offensive line that loses five regular starters from last season.
In Johnson's statement, he describes the journey.
“Taking the redshirt my first year was rough, so going into my freshmen redshirt year I took it more serious. Listening to Coach Summers coach and trusting his technique made me a great offensive linemen and I always had heart, of course.”
Seventeen days ago when Johnson took the field for that Friday afternoon scrimmage, he had a plan. Football was the focal point. His new plan still includes football but from a new perspective.
Gators head coach Jim McElwain said Johnson will serve as a student assistant and continue to contribute his positive energy to a team that finished spring camp with just six scholarship offensive linemen available.
Johnson concluded his statement by looking ahead.
“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 linemen 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.”
