Theo Johnson attends Knicks game despite “sickness” in Week 18
The The New York Giants and theta group Theo Johnson had a lot of people scratching their heads on Friday night. While no one batted an eye when the team ruled the 24-year-old out for Week 18 with an illness, many were surprised at the time to see Johnson at Madison Square Garden later that night watching New York Knicks the game.
Johnson’s presence was not discreet; it was presented on the Jumbotron for all the fans to see. The move raised obvious questions and criticism, but it was later reported that Johnson’s disease was a non-contagious infectionaccording to NFL insider Mike Garafolo.
Theo Johnson’s illness is an infection, “not the flu or COVID, where being around other people is a risk,” #Giants let’s say. In his Instagram story, Johnson wrote, “I’m not sick,” though the operative word was seemingly intended to be “contagious.” https://t.co/Lm78VsKge3
— Mike Substance (@MikeGarflohle) January 3, 2026
Johnson sparked further controversy by saying: “I’m not sick” on social media in an attempt to appease those criticizing his late-night activities. Garafolo speculates that he wanted to tell fans that he was not “contagious” despite feeling physically unfit to play.
Regardless, many New York fans were shaken to see that team unable to play, but felt good enough to come out to a basketball game. Most fans found the series of events humorous and didn’t seem upset about Johnson.
Fans would love to see their secret ending on the field for Jackson Dartbut a win in week 18 is not what most giants fans want to see. New York would lose the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while a win could drop it to No. 7.
Johnson’s presence didn’t bring much luck to the Knicks, as they ended up losing to the Atlanta Hawks 111-99. New York, playing without Karl-Anthony Towns, struggled to score as a group, connecting on just 37 percent of its field goal attempts.
2026-01-03 16:08:00
