Warpath
05-23-2007, 12:59 PM
Keyshawn Johnson has declined an offer from the Tennessee Titans and has decided to retire.
The wide receiver, who also expected to receive an offer from the Oakland Raiders, is expected to announce his decision at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at his alma mater of USC, his agent, Jerome Stanley, told ESPN.com's John Clayton.
Stanley said Johnson is expected to pursue a broadcasting career with ESPN.
"The timing of it was just right," Stanley said. "There were a couple of slots open in broadcasting. He was either going to retire this year or next year, but the timing just turned out to be right now."
Johnson, who turns 35 in July, was released by the Carolina Panthers earlier this month after the Panthers drafted Southern California wideout Dwayne Jarrett. He had 70 catches for 815 yards and four touchdowns for Carolina in 2006.
Johnson, the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NFL draft, has started 162 of 167 games in his 11 NFL seasons that spans stints with Carolina, Dallas, Tampa Bay and the New York Jets. He retires with 814 career receptions for 10,571 yards and has 64 touchdowns.
He worked as an analyst on ESPN's televised coverage of the the NFL draft last month.
ESPN.com: Keyshawn Johnson to retire, pursue TV career (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2879994)
The wide receiver, who also expected to receive an offer from the Oakland Raiders, is expected to announce his decision at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at his alma mater of USC, his agent, Jerome Stanley, told ESPN.com's John Clayton.
Stanley said Johnson is expected to pursue a broadcasting career with ESPN.
"The timing of it was just right," Stanley said. "There were a couple of slots open in broadcasting. He was either going to retire this year or next year, but the timing just turned out to be right now."
Johnson, who turns 35 in July, was released by the Carolina Panthers earlier this month after the Panthers drafted Southern California wideout Dwayne Jarrett. He had 70 catches for 815 yards and four touchdowns for Carolina in 2006.
Johnson, the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NFL draft, has started 162 of 167 games in his 11 NFL seasons that spans stints with Carolina, Dallas, Tampa Bay and the New York Jets. He retires with 814 career receptions for 10,571 yards and has 64 touchdowns.
He worked as an analyst on ESPN's televised coverage of the the NFL draft last month.
ESPN.com: Keyshawn Johnson to retire, pursue TV career (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2879994)