Chris Johnson Wounded by Gunfire in Florida

Former East Carolina Pirate great Chris Johnson was shot while in a stopped vehicle in Orlando, FL. The driver of his vehicle was killed and another passenger was wounded. Johnson was also wounded in the shoulder in the car.

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The Associated Press got confirmation that it was Johnson in the hospital. Johnson is currently stable in the Orlando hospital. No arrests have been made by the police. They are currently looking for information to see if anyone saw what happened.

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Johnson is currently under contract with the New York Jets but that situation will change tomorrow when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Jets sent out a message of support yesterday.

Johnson is at a career crossroads, and that was before he was wounded in this gun attack. His production had been slipping in his last year with the Titans. Johnson also was underwhelming with the Jets last year, but that could have been a product of misusing him. Johnson did not have any nice things to say about former Jets GM John Idzik, who may have sold him some false promises.

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If Johnson recovers to full strength then he should approach the next part of his career as a secondary back. Johnson can still turn on that speed that is so iconically his, but he needs some separation to get loose. Adopting a role as a change of pace back and one who is utilized more as a receiver would achieve that. The money may not look the same though.

Meanwhile this the second incident in a year where an East Carolina pro player was involved in a shooting. Last year Lindval Joseph was shot and wounded in an incident in Minnesota. I think everyone hopes that Johnson will make a full recovery and continue his career.