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Florida lineman Roderick Johnson issues 1st statement since career-ending diagnosis

Roderick Johnson won’t be able to play football for the Florida Gators anymore, but he isn’t planning on leaving the rebuilding program after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis.

Roderick Johnson at American Heritage High School on signing day in 2013. (Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)

Johnson, a sophomore who suffered what first-year head coach Jim McElwain initially described as a “stinger,” will serve as a graduate assistant for the Gators.

Johnson went down during Florida’s scrimmage on April 3 and he felt numbness in his fingers. Florida shut him down, while doctors evaluated his injury.