NFL
Panthers Defensive End Charles Johnson Retires
After playing the entirety of his 11-season career at Carolina, former Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson made his retirement official today. Johnson stated in an official release from the Panthers that he is retiring. He had one year left of his contract. The Panthers will celebrate and honor his career on Thursday at Bank of America Stadium.
During his two-year career at the University of Georgia, the former Bulldog caused four forced fumbles and 13.5 sacks.
Thank you Charles Johnson! https://t.co/MhlkvQr374
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 22, 2018
Career With The Panthers
The Panthers drafted the defensive end in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In 2012, the Panthers signed Johnson to a six-year $72 million contract. That was his best year-to-date recording 12.5 sacks. A few seasons later, he became the first in Panthers’ history to record nine sacks or more, four seasons in a row.
Johnson missed half of the 2015 season because of a hamstring injury and the last four games of the 2017 season for violating the NFL’s performing enhancing drug policy. Johnson took full responsibility for his suspension. He stated that he took something while trying to recover from the back surgery he received in March for a herniated disc.
Once the 2015 post-season hit, Johnson was able to return for the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl 50 and logged three sacks. Johnson was never named to the Pro Bowl or awarded All-Pro, but he is still an all-time Panther great. The 31-year-old knew how to maneuver around offensive linemen and cause the pocket to collapse.
In 143 games, he accumulated 211 quarterback pressures and 67.5 sacks. As well as 352 tackles and 20 forced fumbles. This is only second in franchise history behind Julius Peppers. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said “[Johnson is a] great team player, great person and a leader.”
The Panthers released Johnson after the 2017 season. This is believed to be because of his PED suspension. Also because he only recorded 16 tackles all season and this is the first season he did not record a sack since his rookie season in 2007.
