Former Carolina receiver Keyshawn Johnson retired on Wednesday to take a full-time TV gig with ESPN.

   Johnson, who worked the NFL draft in April for the network, will appear weekly on the Emmy Award-winning Sunday NFL Countdown (11 a.m. -1 p.m. ET) and Monday Night Countdown (7-8:30 p.m.). The 11-year NFL veteran will also contribute weekly columns to ESPN.com and appear on ESPN Radio’s new NFL show hosted by Chris Mortensen and Bill Parcells during the season (Fridays, 7 p.m.).

   At ESPN, Johnson will reunite with Parcells, his former NFL coach and a fellow NFL analyst who will also appear on Monday Night Countdown.

   “The opportunity to transition from active player to broadcaster at the level of ESPN and ABC was too great to pass up,” said Johnson, who worked as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN last month. “Also, to be a member of the Disney family of companies is a great honor.  Although I am currently able to play at the same high NFL level that many fans are used to seeing, walking away while at that level is what I have chosen to do.

   “With teams attempting to sign me, and multiyear playing offers on the table, I realized that I have accomplished all of my goals as a professional football player. That fact, combined with this current opportunity, allows me to feel good about what I have accomplished as a player and what lies ahead in the next phase of my career."

   He will play a key role in ESPN’s year-round NFL presentation, including NFL Draft and Super Bowl week coverage. His on-air contributions will extend beyond football through personality and issue-oriented features and as part of major event coverage on both ESPN and ABC.