The collapse of striker Keyontae Johnson of Florida during a game two months ago was not “related to or not the result of a previous or current diagnosis” of COVID-19, said his family in a statement Wednesday.
Johnson was rushed to a local hospital on Dec. 12 after falling face-to-face on the field after a timeout in the first half of the game against Tallahassee Florida. He was listed in critical but stable condition, school officials said, before being flown to a hospital in Gainesville a few days later with his mother next to him, where he slowly recovered and began communicating with his family and friends in the days to come.
Like most of his teammates, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 over the summer. Coronavirus can lead to myocarditis, a viral infection of the heart muscle.
“Physicians treating the University of Florida Health have consulted with other local and national experts who have examined the relevant imaging and tests related to the case,” the family said in a statement. “The unanimous conclusion of all experts is that the medical emergency of Keyontae was not linked to a previous or current diagnosis of Covid or was not the result.”
According to the statement, the consulting team included physicians from the Gainesville Cardiac and Vascular Institute, the University of Washington Center for Sports Cardiology, Harvard University’s Massachusetts General Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Yale University School of Medicine.
The school did not disclose Johnson’s diagnosis and did not say what caused him to collapse in December. Since joining the team in late December, Johnson has been on the bottom line of the Gators, but has not competed. He will not play again this season, according to his family, and will focus on his recovery.
“We continue to commit to sharing any information that may be useful to others. Our hope is that the experts’ conclusion that this court is not related to Covid will bring some peace of mind,” the family statement said. “Our focus now is on academia and Keyontae’s continued recovery. His endurance has been inspired by the pursuit. He will spend the rest of the season focused on being the best coach and teammate he can have. What’s next for Keyontae is that of sharing it on one’s own chronology. “
Johnson averaged 19.5 points entering the Florida state game and was projected as a first-round prospect in ESPN’s fake draft.