Inquoris Desmond Chade Johnson (born February 12, 1986) is an American motivational speaker and former college football player. His football career ended in 2006 at the University of Tennessee with an injury that permanently paralyzed his right arm. Johnson went on to study psychology and became a motivational speaker. He has been the keynote speaker at numerous events, including the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
September 9, 2006. It started as a normal college football game in Neyland Stadium. If anything, the event was an afterthought, dropped into the schedule at the last minute.
For Inky Johnson, though, the game changed everything. A routine tackle turned into a life-threatening injury, and nothing has been normal for Inky ever since. Not with a paralyzed right arm. Not with daily pain. Not with constant physical challenges.
His dream had always been to play professional sports. You might think his injury would have destroyed his motivation and crushed his spirit. But that’s only because you don’t know Inky.
Who is Inquoris “Inky” Johnson? He could be described as the survivor of an underprivileged past. He could be described as a refugee of poverty and violence. He could be described as a success story stained by tragedy. But if you look deeper, you’ll discover something else.
You’ll see a man who looks in the face of defeat and says, “Am I really failing, or is God prevailing?” You’ll see a man gripped by the promise that God has purposes and plans far beyond our own. And you’ll be inspired by his relentless determination, which he loves to impart to others through his dramatic story.
Inky has a master’s degree in sports psychology from the University of Tennessee. He devotes much of his time to mentoring athletes and underprivileged youth. He and his amazing wife Allison live in Atlanta, Georgia with their beautiful children, Jada and Inky Jr.
MOTIVATION OR INSPIRATION?
“Motivation” is often nothing more than forcing people to do something they don’t really want to do. In contrast, inspiration affects people from within, giving them the ability to accomplish what would otherwise be impossible. Through his walk and his talk, Inky embodies and imparts a truly inspirational message.
Not that Inky’s injury turned him into an inspiration. It just showed the world the inspirational life he’s been living all along. Executives, sports teams, church members, and young people all benefit from the raw energy of his charismatic speaking. Whether the topic is leadership, teamwork, or perseverance, Inky inspires his audiences to embrace the challenges of life.
