Inky Johnson - A Man I Admire

I first heard Inky Johnson speak in 2017 and his story stopped me in my tracks: In his senior year of college football, a routine tackle went horribly wrong. He made the hit and his entire body went numb. He ruptured his subclavian artery and paralyzed his right arm.

Everything Inky had going for him - a spot in the NFL and a paycheck that would take his family out of poverty - was taken from him in a moment. But he didn’t complain or feel sorry for himself… Inky chose to deepen his faith and find ways to become an even better teammate. 

His path since his injury has been anything but easy. There have been even more adversities, hardships, and complications. But through it all, Inky turned a life-destroying accident into a world class platform where he’s perhaps the most sought after motivational speaker in the world.

When he talks, it’s just different. It’s one thing for someone to tell you how to work on your mindset and reframe challenges… But it’s something else to see someone who has been through the worst of it and authentically lives it every single day.

I felt all of this in 2017. I was deeply inspired, moved, and permanently changed. But when it came time to introduce myself to him, I chickened out. 

Fast forward 8 years to Runningman 2025, Inky was scheduled to deliver the Keynote. I prepared a hand-written note for him that explained how much his message impacted me. In it I shared how he related with getting ripped off his identity as an athlete. How inspiring it is to hear the way he talks about hard work and discipline. How devoted he is to being a follower of Jesus.

But Inky had a medical issue and couldn’t attend.

A year later, Inky was invited back to speak at the event and this time was able to show. I couldn’t track down the note I wrote for him so this year I decided to tell him all of it in person. He received it fully present and with more humility than I could have imagined.

If you don’t know who Inky Johnson is, do yourself a favor and check him out right now.

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