Former University of Florida football player Chris Johnson was found dead Saturday night near Pittsburgh at the age of 22, according to the Ocala Star Banner. The cause of death was not immediately confirmed.
Johnson played for the Gators for two seasons — often featured prominently on special teams plays. He recorded 19 tackles across the 2011 and 2012 seasons with Florida.
Johnson later transferred to Duquesne.
Johnson’s high school coach says he had just spoken to him.
“When I texted with him on Wednesday, it was all good. You wouldn’t have known anything,” Justin Wentworth, a former high school coach Johnson remained in contact with, told the Star Banner.
Update:
Johnson’s caused of death has now been ruled a suicide according to the Allegheny (Pa.) County medical examiner — which ruled the death as a suicide, stating he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Post-Gazette reported Sunday.