Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson made headlines during a recent Sports & Suits podcast interview, revealing he refused to play in a game last season due to cold weather. Johnson recounted an incident in Week 13 when the Ravens faced the Philadelphia Eagles on December 1, 2024.
With temperatures dropping as low as 21 degrees, Johnson said his legs were too cold to play and he opted not to re-enter the game in the fourth quarter, stating, “I didn’t wanna go out there and put bad stuff on film.”
Suspension Led to Release as Johnson Struggled Through Brief Stints With Three Teams
Following his decision to sit out, Johnson explained that the Ravens suspended him for one game, a disciplinary move that ultimately led to his release. Baltimore had acquired Johnson at the trade deadline from the Carolina Panthers, hoping to boost their receiving corps. However, after the suspension, the team chose to waive him. The Houston Texans then claimed the veteran wideout, offering him a brief second chance.
Diontae Johnson (NFL)Johnson’s stint with the Texans was equally short and turbulent. According to his interview, the team focused on giving playing time to their younger players, which sidelined Johnson. He admitted to becoming mentally disengaged and said the Texans labeled him a “distraction” before releasing him after the regular season ended.
Johnson’s final stats for the season included 33 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns spread across his time with three different franchises.
Reclaimed by Ravens, Then Released Again: Johnson’s Journey Ends in Even Colder Cleveland
Ironically, the Ravens reclaimed Johnson after the Texans waived him, but NFL rules rendered him ineligible to participate in the postseason. As Baltimore advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs, Johnson could only watch from the sidelines. After the team’s playoff exit, he officially became a free agent, ending a chaotic season that included stops in Carolina, Baltimore, and Houston.
In April, Johnson signed a one-year, $1.17 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, aiming for a fresh start. However, the move raises questions about how the receiver will handle Cleveland’s notoriously colder weather, especially given his earlier comments about Baltimore’s climate.
Data from the National Weather Service indicates that Cleveland is, on average, colder than Baltimore—by about 4 degrees during the fall and 6.5 degrees in the winter. Whether Johnson can adapt and thrive in these chillier conditions remains to be seen.
