(Photo by Mark Avery / New York Times)

Rather than parlaying retirement into a broadcasting job like Keyshawn Johnson, the 35-year-old Johnnie Morton is embarking on a second career that’s deadlier than the first.

“I’ve gotten hit a lot in my life,” said Morton, who spent 12 seasons going over the middle against N.F.L. safeties. “But I’ve never gotten hit like this.”

Welcome to the world of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). It’s a combination of wrestling, boxing and kick boxing with jujitsu, tae kwon do and Muay Thai that makes Tom Zbikowski’s boxing stunt look like a day in the park.

Morton will step into the ring at the Los Angeles Coliseum on June 2nd. It will be a Showtime pay-per-view special.

No Helmet, No Pads, No Escape [NY Times]