Adam Johnson Video Raises Questions About 'Freak Accident'

The tragic death of Adam Johnson, a former NHL forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, has sparked questions across social media, as fans dissected the moments leading up to the mid-game collision that took his life.

While playing for British hockey team the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday, Johnson, 29, fell to the ice following a collision in the 35th minute. The Panthers announced his death in the early hours of Sunday.

"The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night," the post said.

"The Panthers would like to send our thoughts to Adam's family, his partner and all his friends at this extremely difficult time," the statement said. "Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam's passing."

"Our thoughts are also with the fans and staff of both clubs, especially those who attended or were following the game, who will be devastated following today's news."

After thanking "everyone who rushed to support Adam last night in the most testing of circumstances," the Panthers described Johnson as "not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. The Club will dearly miss and will never ever forget him."

Johnson's family, friends and his team "all seek to come to terms with our grief," the statement said, adding: "Rest in peace Adam."

As news of Johnson's tragic passing circulated, a number of social media users have zeroed in on footage from the seconds surrounding the moment of injury, that showed him and Steelers player Matt Petgrave colliding before he fell to the ice.

Minnesota native Johnson was seen getting up and attempting to skate before quickly collapsing back onto the ice. The Challenge Cup match was called off following the accident.

Some fans have questioned the height of Petgrave's skates as he fell to the ground alongside Johnson after the clash, noting how his skate was in the air. Others questioned whether Petgrave had intended to put his leg up so high in an attempt to kick Johnson, without presenting evidence for the claim.

Former NHL player Chris Therien wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "After seeing the incident involving Adam Johnson, that Bush league needs to shut down for investigation immediately. I was literally appalled and sickened by what I saw. It looked intentional. It was a Kung fu kick. My eyes are not lying tell me I'm wrong."

Many commenters rejected Therien's view. The suggestions led to a spirited debate that also saw a number of TikTok users come to Petgrave's defense.

Newsweek is not publishing the TikTok video due to its extreme graphic nature.

"Matt Petgrave didn't intend to do it," one said, adding that the Canadian-born athlete "was losing his balance and on the way down he got [Johnson] in the neck."

Petgrave "would never [have] intentionally [done] something horrific like that," commented one social media user. "I was at the match and all night."

It was "simply a freak accident," the fan wrote. "Two players collided into Petgrave causing him to lift his leg to [maneuver], and sadly the back of his skate made contact to the side of Adam's throat. This was obviously [an] accident."

According to the hockey fan, Petgrave was "down on the ground crying his heart out" in the aftermath of the accident.

"I agree, I can't even imagine how Petgrave is feeling currently," another commented. "I was there, on the rows behind them in this clip and it breaks my heart that people think he did this intentionally. I just hope he is okay, and I just hope Adam's family are okay too. RIP."

Newsweek has contacted representatives of the Steelers via email for comment.

Christian Bennett, a journalist at the U.K. newspaper The Guardian who attended the game, told the publication: "Two players blindsided each other, just bumped into each other.

"The Sheffield player clearly got knocked off his feet and his skate went up and slit [the other player's] throat. I've never seen that amount of blood come out of anyone at any sort of pace. It is one of the grimmest things I've ever seen at a sports event."

Noting that children were among the 8,000 in attendance at Yorkshire's Sheffield Arena, Bennett said: "It was an absolute family atmosphere...everyone was crying.

"They made an announcement for everyone to leave but to stay in their cars so the ambulance could get there and they put screens up around him.

"When I went out on to the concourse there were kids bawling uncontrollably, because of the level of blood which came out of his neck. It was genuinely a freak accident."

Johnson's ice hockey career included a stint playing for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. He also played in the American Hockey League, and in Sweden, Germany and the Elite Ice Hockey League in the U.K.

Update, 10/30/23, 4:45 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional reaction.