Eagles’ Lane Johnson Reveals What Led to Abrupt NFL Retirement
Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson announced his sudden retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
The official decision comes two days after Johnson was a late scratch from Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams for personal reasons.
He took to social media to clarify why he chose to step away from the game after 14 seasons.
“I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season. But after a lot of reflection, I’ve realized that my personal and family priorities have changed. Right now it is critical that I focus on my mental health,” he wrote in a statement posted to social media.
“I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organization and the fans to have my head and heart 100 percent in the game. And right now my heart is telling me that it’s time to say goodbye to football.”
Throughout much of his career, especially over the last several years, Johnson has made it publicly known that he has been battling with his mental health. He hasn’t shied away from the discussion, becoming a big advocate for finding the balance both mentally and physically.
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Johnson’s decision to step away leaves a significant void for the Eagles, as he provided irreplaceable stability along the right side of the offensive line. His absence leaves Philadelphia trying to navigate forward without one of their most dependable players and a strong presence in the locker room.
Johnson put together a Hall of Fame-worthy NFL career that saw him earn six Pro Bowl selections, two First-Team All-Pro nods, and help the Eagles win two Super Bowls.
