Thunder WR Johnson Thrives on Proving Critics Wrong
Published on March 27, 2009 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Utah Blaze News Release
OREM, Utah - Utah Valley Thunder wide receiver Jeff Johnson is used to proving people wrong.
At 5-foot-9, naysayers have been telling him for years he's too small to play football, and after suffering a major leg injury that required surgery, doctors told him may never play sports again.
Last Monday night, Johnson continued to prove critics wrong by recording a game-high 16 catches for 141 yards in the Thunder's 62-34 season-opening loss to the Wyoming Cavalry.
"My whole life (my height) has always been a factor on the football field," he said. "I use that as fuel as well when people tell me I am too short to play receiver. I thrive on proving people wrong and that gives me an extra boost."
Johnson was a three-sport star at his high school in Washington, D.C. He excelled in football, baseball and wrestling. He eventually earned a wrestling scholarship at BYU in 1999.
"My real intent was to play football at BYU rather than wrestle," he said. "I had a strong passion for football. I used wrestling as a lever to get into BYU."
Following his freshman year, Johnson served a two-year mission for his church to Mexico City, and while he was gone, BYU dropped its wrestling program, but he said the university still honored his scholarship when he returned.
With wrestling no longer an option, he saw an opportunity to focus on football.
"It all backfired on me," he said.
During football practice he broke his left leg and tore the ligaments in his ankle. Surgeons placed a seven-inch metal plate in his leg to stabilize it and he still has it in his leg today.
He never returned to the field at BYU.
"I have been active and played sports my whole life and to hear the doctors say I would be lucky if I played competitively again, I used that as fuel and I used that as fire," he said. "I did all the right things to get back to where I was actually able to play on my leg again."
For the last few years he has bounced around playing in different football leagues around the state, but now he has cemented his place on the roster with the Thunder.
"I haven't skipped a beat as far as game experience," said Johnson, who played for the Utah Saints last year. "I think that has helped me to prepare me for what is to come this season."
Utah Valley Thunder coach Chad DeGrenier knew Johnson was a weapon even before his huge game against the Cavalry.
"I expected to do what he did. Did I expect him to have 16 catches? No. Eight or nine maybe," DeGrenier said. "With Quincy (Jackson) out it was nice to have that guy. With Quincy coming back here shortly then it makes us that much more dangerous."
Receivers Johnson, Jackson and Akamu Aki, who had five catches for 35 yards and three scores in the loss to Wyoming, give the Thunder the ability to stretch the field in any direction.
"I think little-by-little I am starting to understand my role in the offense. I know I will probably never be the go-to guy. If they need me to step it up and be the main guy I can do that," he said. "I care about winning, so whatever coach wants me to do I will do. If that's what it takes to get a 'W' then I'll do it."
The Thunder (0-1) will be looking for their first win of the season when they host the New Mexico Wildcats (1-0) Monday, March 30, at the McKay Center located on the campus of Utah Valley University.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from March 27, 2009
- This Week in the AIFA Covers Week 3 of 2009 AIFA Season - AIFA
- Thunder WR Johnson Thrives on Proving Critics Wrong - Utah Blaze
- Knights Notes - Ogden Knights
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