Podcast: Derrick Johnson talks about rare longevity with Chiefs
By Matt Conner
Our latest bonus interview from the Arrowhead Addict podcast features legendary linebacker Derrick Johnson talking about retirement and more.
In the modern NFL era, it’s impressive for a player to earn a second contract with an NFL team given how short the average career will last and how teams typically structure their finances. But for nearly a decade-and-a-half, linebacker Derrick Johnson ruled the heart of the Kansas City Chiefs defense—a sign of a true legend who was a fan favorite for so long.
The Chiefs first selected Johnson as a well-rounded linebacker out of the University of Texas back in 2005, and he would remain with the team through the 2017 season. In that span, he’d become the team’s all-time leader in tackles with 1,154 to go with career totals like 22 forced fumbles, 14 interceptions, and 27.5 sacks. It’s a body of work that made him a four-time Pro Bowler and a likely candidate for the Chiefs Ring of Honor in the next year or two.
These days, Johnson has hung up his cleats but he largely remains focused on the pillars that have carried him all along—faith and family. The other “F” of football has been replaced by his “foundation,” as he concentrates on supporting at-risk youth through educational initiatives.
In conjunction with a USAA event held in conjunction with the NFL’s “Salute to Service” program, we recently sat down with Johnson to hear more about his longevity in the game, how he feels about the term “legend,” and the influence of a father who was awarded the Purple Heart for his military service.
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