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Penn State’s Journey Brown, considered one of the nation’s top returning running backs and a potential top-tier NFL draft pick, announced his medical retirement from football on Wednesday.
Brown, a junior in a red shirt, said he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes heart muscle to become unusually thick. Penn State coach James Franklin said the disease was discovered during a COVID-19 test in September but was not linked to the virus.
According to the American Heart Association, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common form of genetic heart disease. It is also “the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people and athletes under 35”, according to WADA. People diagnosed are encouraged to make lifestyle changes, including limiting their physical activity.
Brown posted a statement on Twitter announcing the decision.
“The pain of not being able to play the game I love anymore hurts and I can’t explain how I’m feeling right now,” Brown said. “However, I can walk away from the game knowing that I really gave it my all in every practice, every downhill and in the locker room every day.”
Franklin got emotional while discussing Brown, the 2019 Penn State offensive star and locker room catalyst. He called the news “heartbreaking,” adding that Brown had served as a volunteer assistant coach with the running backs.
“We are working on this issue and addressing it as a team,” Franklin said. “Journey is one of the most popular and respected players on our team. The entire organization has come together behind Journey and his family. We need Nittany Nation to do the same.”
The announcement marked the last tough moment for Penn State, which is 0-3 for the first time since 2001. Penn State had been vague about Brown’s status since October, when the program announced five days before the opening. that Brown would “potentially” miss the season while being treated for a medical condition.
Brown finished the 2019 season as one of the best full-backs in the country, according to positional coach Ja’Juan Seider, averaging 118.6 yards in his last five games. He punctuated the streak with a 202-yard performance in the Cotton Bowl, setting a Penn State playoff running record.
Brown trained in California for parts of the offseason, saying he expected to come back stronger while maintaining the breakaway speed he exhibited last season. The running back made an equal impact off the pitch with his teammates.
“He’s been through a lot, but he’s still got a positive attitude,” kicker Jordan Stout said ahead of the season. “He’s there everyday to help us. He’s a mentor to me, and we’re the same age. That says a lot.”
Ahead of Franklin’s announcement on Wednesday, Penn State Juice Scruggs offensive lineman described how he has supported Brown throughout the season. Brown was among the first teammates to visit Scruggs in hospital after the Scruggs car crash in 2019.
“I’m just doing the same thing he did for me, which is to be there for him whenever he needs me,” Scruggs said. “I’m just letting him know how much I love him and that I’ll always be there for him.” During this time, we just stay with him, supporting him 100%. The whole team.
Penn State visits Nebraska on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for noon ET on FS1.
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