Johnny Knox Calls it Quits on Comeback and Retires from Football

Nov 27, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox (13) on the field after a touchdown was scored by the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. Oakland defeated Chicago 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

The Sun Times’ Sean Jensen had a sitdown with recently released Johnny Knox and the former Chicago Bear is calling it quits on a comeback bid.  Just reading the opener of Jensen’s piece brings a reality to the situation:

"Johnny Knox looks like he’s in game-shape when he appears in the dimly-lit entrance of a Chicago hotel restaurant Wednesday morning.Except the always lean receiver walks with a limp, and he struggles to sit or stand comfortably, the lingering effects of a devastating hit he endured at Soldier Field 13 ½ months ago."

Knox tried for over a year to fully recover from a vicious hit he suffered against the Seahawks in December of 2011, but when the Bears terminated his contract on Tuesday, he decided to move on with his life and move away from football:

"“As an athlete, you don’t want to give up, you want to keep on fighting. That’s how I’ve always been,” Knox says. “But it’s been on my heart for a while. I know how my body feels, and I know I’m not going to be the same and perform at the ability that I used to. So I’m moving on and going forward.”"

Knox holds no ill will towards the Bears or to the game he loved.  The Bears did right by him by paying him his full salary and helping him rehab with the team all of the 2012 season despite the fact that it was highly unlikely he’d ever return to football.  He’s upbeat about the next chapter in his life and he’s put his faith in God’s plan for him.

Knox plans to stick around town with his wife and two kids, so if you happen to bump into him, wish him well.