Basketball

Florida's Keyontae Johnson speaks after collapse: 'God said my work here ain't done'

By Cole Claybourn Dec 19, 2020
Florida forward Keyontae Johnson waits to be introduced before a game, Jan. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)

University of Florida star basketball player Keyontae Johnson posted a video to social media on Friday thanking God, as well as supporters who prayed for him the past week. It was his first public statement since collapsing on the court early in a December 11 game at Florida State.

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“Write your own story. God said my work here ain’t done,” Johnson wrote, along with posting a video.

“First and foremost I’d like to thank God,” Johnson said in the video. “I know y’all have been sending y’all prayers the last few weeks, and me and my parents are very grateful for the prayers that have been going out.

“To all doctors and medical staff at Tallahassee Memorial and UF Shands, I just want to say thank you for all the support y’all gave me, especially the lady that was in the gym at Florida State. To my Gator Nation and UF Athletic family, I just want to thank you for all the prayers that y’all gave out to me. Go Gators.”

Johnson, the SEC’s Preseason Player of the Year and a projected first-round NBA draft pick, collapsed right after a timeout early in the game and was rushed to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He was later transferred to UF Health, where he remained in critical, but stable, condition for parts of the week. At one point he was placed in a medically-induced coma.

Florida canceled its game Wednesday against North Florida and postponed its next three games against Florida Atlantic, Florida A&M and James Madison. The Gators’ next scheduled game is against Vanderbilt on December 30.

“This has been an emotionally taxing time for Keyontae’s family, friends, and teammates,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said in statement earlier this week. “Our hope is that everyone impacted will take an opportunity to process those emotions and regroup ahead of the start of the new year.”

Throughout last weekend, prayers flooded in for Johnson on social media from people in and around the sports world. Florida’s men’s basketball Twitter account released a video Saturday morning highlighting the well wishes and thanking people for their prayers and support for Johnson:

There’s no timetable for Johnson’s return to the court, but teammate Noah Locke posted a video of Johnson dancing with some friends — perhaps a sign that Johnson is on the mend.

Join us in continuing to pray for Johnson’s health and recovery.

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