Ex-Bears WR Johnny Knox says he is done with football

Ex-Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox has decided to hang up his cleats at age 26 after being unable to come back from a back injury.

The Bears released Knox yesterday after not playing in 2012. Knox was injured on Dec. 13, 2011 against the Seattle Seahawks when he was hit in the back by Seahawks defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove.  Knox was able to move his legs but says he was overwhelmed by pain just lying on the grass.

“As an athlete, you don’t want to give up, you want to keep on fighting. That’s how I’ve always been,” Knox said to the Chicago Sun-Times.“But it’s been on my heart for a while. I know how my body feels, and I know I’m not going to be the same and perform at the ability that I used to. So I’m moving on and going forward.”

Knox says he plans to remain in the Chicago area with his wife and two children. He is currently an investor in the launch of a new supplement company, Healthy 74.  A Pro Bowl selection in 2009, Knox finishes his career with 133 receptions for 2,214 yards along with 1,515 total return yards.