QB commit JD Johnson medically retires from football
He is medically retiring from football but his scholarship is being honored and he is joining the staff as a student assistant coach
https://twitter.com/jd10johnson/status/1189649178407784448?s=21
October 30th, 2019 at 10:55 PM ^
Fuck off back to 11W.
November 1st, 2019 at 6:26 AM ^
Tip of the hat to Harbaugh from this buckeye, thats a pretty awesome to do that. I've never heard of a medically disqualified player not retaining his scholarship but that is apple & oranges compared to a kid that hadn't even signed officially or stepped foot on campus yet. Bravo UM.?
October 30th, 2019 at 6:18 PM ^
Wow, that is extremely unfortunate to hear. Extremely glad though that the University and football program are doing right by him and honoring his scholarship.
October 30th, 2019 at 6:25 PM ^
Too bad young man.
Welcome Coach JD, way to GoBlue!
October 30th, 2019 at 6:26 PM ^
This is another reason why I am so very grateful and proud of being a part of Michigan.
Integrity/honor before winning.
October 30th, 2019 at 6:34 PM ^
This is why I like JH. It's not just about coaching, it's also about doing the right thing and / or going up and above what others might do.
October 30th, 2019 at 6:39 PM ^
Lincoln Riley got his start as a former QB turned student assistant coach his freshman year.
Just saying.
October 30th, 2019 at 6:40 PM ^
His announcement on Twitter is amazing to read. Lots of serious medical issues. Very mature and grounded. Tremendous gratitude to Coach Harbaugh for honoring his scholarship. Great things to say about the program and U of M. I hope great things are ahead of him. A Michigan man in the making!
October 30th, 2019 at 8:29 PM ^
Seriously. Very impressive that a 17 year old wrote that.
October 30th, 2019 at 7:01 PM ^
That's some shocking news. I'm glad to hear he's staying so positive about it, and I'm impressed that Harbaugh and the university are taking care of him.
October 30th, 2019 at 7:23 PM ^
Man, imagine getting a scholarship to play QB at Michigan and not being able to play. Glad we’re cool enough to give him a role anyways.
October 30th, 2019 at 7:32 PM ^
Sucks for the young man but blessing it was caught before something serious happened.
Coach Harbaugh, you're a good man!
October 30th, 2019 at 8:01 PM ^
Get healthy JD. And good luck in your coaching career.
October 30th, 2019 at 8:03 PM ^
And this (along with restoring our program to its historic mean of 10 wins) is why Jim Harbaugh will remain the coach of UM - and things are about to get a lot better for us going forward on the field as well.
No, Jim isn't a perfect strategic coach, but he's a better man than the 5 or so coaches who may be more "elite" than him in terms of building and sustaining a program...and most importantly,
WELCOME ALL TO THE MICHIGAN MONEY CANNON
Sorry, but SEC, OSU, Clemson bagmen shenanigans will become much more irrelevant with our player getting legally paid for their likeness in video games, paraphernalia, etc. The playing field is about to get much more level.
So all things being equal...if I'm a parent, I'm rolling with Jim, yeah, the guy with character and integrity.
November 1st, 2019 at 4:15 PM ^
Players getting paid refers to outside deals, not through the universities. Isn't your "money cannon" just another term for bagmen (or "bagprogram)?
October 30th, 2019 at 8:24 PM ^
Why does everyone think another school wouldn’t honor his scholarship? His scholarship doesn’t count towards the 85 total, so there’s no reason it shouldn’t be honored. It’s a very unique situation that I doubt very many coaches have had to deal with. When Saban medically disqualifies a player, they can remain on scholarship at the school, but the player usually wants to keep on playing and that’s why they transfer.
Saban offers players medical scholarships when he’s kicking them out, but they still have the choice to stay at Alabama and get a free education.
October 30th, 2019 at 9:48 PM ^
Nicely done JH and WM too!
October 31st, 2019 at 10:24 AM ^
Don't know why this comment is being ignored. I mean it's great that the SCHOOL is honoring his scholarship. However, Harbaugh and the football team still get their 85 not counting him. If they bring him in as a student coach or whatever they plan, that's where the impact is where they are following through where they technically don't have to.
October 30th, 2019 at 8:26 PM ^
Tough break, but judging by what he wrote, he seems like an intelligent, articulate, and high character kid. I'm sure he'll be a great asset to the coaching staff.
October 30th, 2019 at 8:31 PM ^
Tough loss, but really happy to hear about the integrity Harbaugh displayed. Makes me proud to be associated with this great university. We may not win every game, but at least we strive to do things the right way no matter the cost.
Go Blue.
October 30th, 2019 at 9:10 PM ^
That sucks for him, but glad he does get to still attend Michigan and be part of the team.
October 30th, 2019 at 9:13 PM ^
Outstanding letter from a kid that just received devastating news. Good luck, JD - we look forward to the success you'll help bring to our future QB's!
October 30th, 2019 at 9:28 PM ^
Tough deal for the young man. Wish him well in a great college career as a student at Michigan. That's one of the nice things about sports: however much we care, playing and watching and kibbitzing, it's extra.
October 30th, 2019 at 10:21 PM ^
Well this has been a fucking asshole of a day.
October 30th, 2019 at 10:30 PM ^
Nice job Michigan!
But now, does Michigan go to the transfer portal or try to poach someone else's 4 star recruit?
October 30th, 2019 at 10:49 PM ^
I (very briefly) met JD’s Mom at a HS girls lacrosse camp earlier this year. She approached me with my M gear on, thinking I was a coach, I told her “nope! I’m just an alum, and a mom, my daughter is here”.. and same for her. But she told me her son was going to Michigan and how excited they were for him to be at Michigan. So, I guess it was his sister playing lacrosse out there. I feel for the kid and his family—but thank goodness it was diagnosed, so he can be treated and prevent a terrible event. I’m so glad he’ll get to get that M education and be part of the team. They were already representing well and he’s not even on campus.
October 31st, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
Cool story sis. Seriously.
October 31st, 2019 at 8:26 AM ^
Very Classy move by Harbaugh, that will get hardly any lip service among the national media or critics.
November 1st, 2019 at 4:17 PM ^
The 11 Warriors website is universally praising this move
October 31st, 2019 at 4:54 PM ^
I am part of a new organization called Sidelined USA, if anyone knows JD personally send him to www.sidelinedusa.org . The group offers support for athletes who can no longer play......check it out and spread the word.