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2021 NFL Draft hopeful and Penn State RB Journey Brown forced to retire

By Cory Kinnan

Dec 28, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Journey Brown (4) holds up the most outstanding offensive player trophy after the game against the Memphis Tigers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Journey Brown (4) holds up the most outstanding offensive player trophy after the game against the Memphis Tigers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Journey Brown
Journey Brown. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Penn State running back Journey Brown gets heartbreaking news

After a successful Sophomore season with the Nittany Lions in 2019, running back Journey Brown was set for a big year with 2021 NFL Draft potential. However, he was ruled out for the season a few months ago, and now he has gotten even more devastating news just yesterday: he must retire from the game of football.

Getting a second opinion, Brown has been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, forcing him to hang up his cleats. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a disease that “causes thickening of the heart muscle.” With heart failure and cardiac arrest as the main conditions associated with the disease, Brown made the only choice he could.

Brown took to Twitter to post the news, saying:

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"“The pain of not being able to play the game I love anymore hurts and I can’t explain how I am feeling right now. However, I can walk away from the game knowing I truly gave my all at every practice, on every down and in the locker room every day. You never know when you will play your last snap, but I know I left it all out there and have no regrets, other than wishing I could step on the field one more time. I won’t miss football because it will always be a part of me.”"

Looking at the career of Journey Brown

Brown finishes his collegiate career after a successful 2019 season, carrying on the legacy of Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders. On the year, Brown rushed for 890 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Nittany Lions; he averaged a massive seven yards per carry, making the most of limited opportunities to touch the ball.

Brown had all of the makings of a top-five running back in this year’s draft class.

Nothing but the best to him in his future

It seems as though, while he is still feeling the sting of loss as we all would, Brown has found a bit of peace with this news. Do not be shocked to see Brown hang around the Penn State program as he finishes school, and even then he has a great chance to land on a coaching staff if that is the direction he chooses to make.

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We wish nothing but the best to Brown and his family as he goes through this transition away from playing the game he loves.

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