Johnson ends NFL career and joins ESPN as analyst

Keyshawn Johnson announced Wednesday that he is retiring from football and has signed a multiple-year deal to become an ESPN analyst.

“I’ve lived my dream,” said Johnson, the former USC star who was one of two receivers drafted first overall. “Now, I’m going to live another dream.”

He made the announcement during a news conference at USC’s Heritage Hall.

Johnson, 34, spent his final season with the Carolina Panthers, catching 70 passes for 815 yards and four touchdowns. He was released by the team a few days after it used a second-round pick on USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who has been compared to a younger Johnson.

Johnson, with 814 career receptions, said he received subsequent offers from Oakland, New England and Tennessee but decided to call it a career. His agent, Jerome Stanley, said the offer from the Titans was for two years and “close to $8 million,” but that Johnson will be “at the forefront” at ESPN and ABC and is being considered for “Dancing With the Stars” and as a fill-in for Regis Philbin.

-- Sam Farmer