The “Off” Season of Chris Johnson

A+lumpy+football+and+a+lumpy+situation.+

Connor Riley

A lumpy football and a lumpy situation.

In the off-season of the NFL, many players relax and train for the new season, push to be resigned with their team or worry about getting traded. Every now and then there is a crazy story that surfaces from the off-season.

Most recently, on Sunday, the NFL running back Chris Johnson was shot in a drive-by down in Orlando, Florida. The ex-New York Jets running back and former Tennessee Titans star received a gunshot wound to his right shoulder. The non-life-threatening injuries suffered by Chris Johnson and passenger Reggie Johnson allowed them to talk to the police immediately following the attack. A report says that Chris Johnson was reclined back in his seat texting when the gunmen opened fire. If Johnson had been sitting in any other position in his seat, he would have most likely been shot and killed.  Unfortunately, the driver, Dreekius Oricko Johnson, was killed when shot by a bullet in the head.

The group was leaving a party when the assailants opened fire on the car. The police have no suspects at the time and are still deciding whether this was a random incident or the car was specifically targeted with the understanding of who was in the vehicle. According to the police investigation, Chris Johnson was being very “uncooperative” at the scene of the crime.  However, it must be noted that the driver, Dreekius Johnson had a very prolonged criminal history. Dreekius has been arrested ten times and spent almost four years in prison for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and cocaine possession.

Regrettably, this was not Chris Johnson’s first incident this offseason. Earlier in January, Johnson was arrested with the open carrying of a firearm in Orlando and was eventually charged. Johnson became a free agent on Tuesday at 4 p.m. after the Jets decided to not resign him following his one season stint with them. The 29-year-old-running back is hoping to sign with a team heading into the 2015 season.

After a horrifying offseason for Johnson, he hopes for the best in finding a new team. Johnson began his electrifying career with the Titans, where he set many franchise and NFL records. Johnson also surpased 2,000 yards in a single season during his 2 nd NFL season. Only seven running backs have previously reached this feat. Now Johnson and many NFL fans wait to see what his future holds for him in the NFL.