In a surprising announcement on his Instagram account, former Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans running back David Johnson has decided to retire from the NFL. Johnson, known for his remarkable rise to stardom despite receiving little fanfare out of high school, leaves a legacy of impressive achievements during his career.

Johnson's journey to NFL success began during his college years at Northern Iowa. He made the most of his time with the Panthers, accumulating over 6,400 all-purpose yards and 63 touchdowns over four seasons. His outstanding performance led to the Cardinals selecting him with the 86th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Initially starting as a backup, Johnson got his chance to shine when an injury sidelined former All-Pro Chris Johnson. Making the most of his opportunity, he showcased his skills with 120 total yards and a touchdown in his first start. Two weeks later, he had a stellar performance with 187 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a victory over the Eagles.

It was in 2016 that Johnson truly flourished, becoming one of the NFL's most productive running backs. He rushed for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns while also making an impact as a receiver with 80 catches for 879 yards and four more scores. His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious All-Pro title that year.

However, injuries began to hinder Johnson's progress towards the end of the 2016 season. He suffered a knee injury in the Cardinals' final game, causing him to miss almost the entire 2017 season after injuring his wrist in Week 1. Despite setbacks, the Cardinals showed their faith in Johnson by awarding him a three-year, $39 million extension, including $30 million guaranteed, ahead of the 2018 season.

Johnson had a productive year in 2018, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards and totaling 1,386 yards with 11 touchdowns. However, his production declined significantly in 2019, leading to the Cardinals trading him to the Houston Texans in a deal that brought star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona.

In his first year with the Texans, Johnson showcased his talent with over 1,000 total yards and eight touchdowns. However, his playing time decreased significantly in the 2021 season, where he only had 99 touches in 13 games. Johnson then spent the 2022 season with the New Orleans Saints, appearing in five regular-season games.

Now, at the age of [not mentioned], David Johnson has decided to call it a career. While injuries may have impacted his later years, Johnson's remarkable rise from a lightly-recruited high school player to an NFL star will be remembered. His legacy includes holding the Cardinals' record for most touchdowns in a single season with 20.

As Johnson enters retirement, fans and fellow players will undoubtedly reflect on his impressive journey and contributions to the game.