Former NFL running back Chris Johnson accused in murder-for-hire case
By Ryan Brown
TMZ reports former NFL running back Chris Johnson has been accused in a Florida murder-for-hire case.
Former star running back Chris Johnson has been accused in a murder-for-hire case, as reported by TMZ Sports. Johnson adamantly denies any allegations and has not been formally charged.
On March 8, 2015, Chris Johnson and his friend Dreekius Johnson were fired upon while driving around Orlando, Florida at around 4 a.m. Johnson survived with a bullet wound to his shoulder, while Dreekius Johnson, who was driving the vehicle, was killed in the shooting.
More from NFL
- NFL rumors: Division rival could steal Dalvin Cook from Dolphins
- Raiders sign coveted All-Pro ahead of training camp
- Patrick Mahomes explains why Chiefs aren’t a dynasty and what it’ll take to be one
- Ravens need to give Odell Beckham Jr. a reason not to retire
- Packers president has unrealistic timeline to evaluate Jordan Love as franchise QB
According to TMZ, officials believe that this shooting was “a gang related murder attempt on Chris Johnson.”
In 2016, a Florida gang member shot and killed the two men believed to be the shooters who killed Johnson’s friend.
The allegations currently against Johnson accuse him of rewarding this gang member with money and a narcotics supplier to help him become a leader in a drug trafficking organization in Florida.
Johnson, through a representative, told TMZ Sports, “There’s no validity to any of these accusations.” He has not be formally charged for any of these allegations.
Johnson played in the NFL for 10 seasons, retiring in 2018. He was known as one of the most exciting running backs in the league for much of his career playing for the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals.
He is most famous for being one of seven players in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season, earning him the nickname CJ2K in 2009 when he rushed for 2,006 yards with the Titans.