Georgia freshman DB forced to give up football

Published Oct. 2, 2014 6:11 p.m. ET

foxsports

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Georgia freshman cornerback Rico Johnson will have to give up football because of a neurological condition.

The school announced Thursday that Johnson had problems in practice this week and underwent a medical evaluation. Doctors found that Johnson risked a permanent spinal cord injury if he continued to play contact sports.

Head trainer Ron Courson says it's fortunate the condition was discovered before Johnson sustained a ''possible catastrophic injury,'' and that he still should be able to have ''a normal life.''

Georgia coach Mark Richt says Johnson will remain on scholarship through his graduation. The 5-foot-11, 174-pounder played in Georgia's first four games and was credited with five tackles.

The 13th-ranked Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) face Vanderbilt on Saturday.