Rico Johnson's career ends because of medical issue

ATHENS - Another day, another blow to Georgia's secondary, and in this case a promising football career has ended altogether.

Freshman Rico Johnson has been medically disqualified due to what UGA described as a neurological condition, which risks permanent spinal cord damage if he continues to play football.

Johnson has played in Georgia's four games this season. He experienced what UGA called "neurological symptoms" during Wednesday's practice, and a medical evaluation revealed the condition.

"While we are very disappointed for Rico from a football standpoint, we feel extremely fortunate that he is healthy and that we were able to diagnose his condition and protect him from a possible catastrophic injury," Ron Courson, Georgia's senior associate athletics director for medicine, said in a statement. "Although he cannot continue his football career, he should be able to have a normal life."

"I'm thankful we caught this condition when we did," head coach Mark Richt said in a statement. "Now we can help Rico transition to life after football. He will stay on scholarship through his graduation and we will assist him in finding employment through the P.O. Network!"

That was a reference to the Paul Oliver Network, which Richt set up to help his former players find employment.

Johnson appeared to be referencing his situation on Twitter on Thursday:

Why this gotta happen to me??

— Rico Johnson (@Ric_johnson7) October 2, 2014

A player who receives a medical disqualification can remain on scholarship, but will not count against the team's scholarship cap of 95. Junior fullback Merritt Hall received a medical disqualification in the preseason because of multiple concussions.

This is the second hit to the secondary this week: Junior Sheldon Dawson was dismissed from the team on Monday. That follows an offseason in which Josh Harvey-Clemons, Shaq Wiggins and Tray Matthews, who all started in the secondary last year, left the team.

This story was originally published October 2, 2014 at 1:40 PM.