Latest news with #DefendTheDreamFoundation
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs legend Derrick Johnson reveals his mindset on retiring, Defend the Dream Foundation
A post shared by Defend The Dream Foundation (@defendthedreamfoundation) This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his realization that he would leave Kansas City after 13 seasons. "Defend The Dream Foundation caters to inner city kids through education. But what we do is go to Title I elementary schools in low-income areas and do library makeovers at their school. We add nice paint on the walls, comfortable furniture, rugs, bean bags, and a space that's specifically designed for kids. "We make it look nice and bright so it's conducive to learning," said Johnson. "We give them over 1,000 age-appropriate books, new books that they can read and do independent reading." Do anything that they need to have more resources to help them to read better, because we know there's a bad stat in the reading column; we talk in low-income areas; if they're not on grade level reading by the time they leave elementary school, half of them don't finish high school. So that's a big deal." Johnson ended his Chiefs playing career after the 2017 AFC Wild Card loss to the Tennessee Titans, but played one more season with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. He would eventually return to Kansas City to sign a one-day contract to retire with the team for which he holds the franchise record for tackles. "I was hoping it wasn't (my last game in Kansas City). But there was a reality check at the beginning of the (2017 Wild Card) game, like, this could be my last time breaking it down as a group," said Johnson, "At the moment, you don't know. Playing for 13 years, it seems like it never ends. So it's hard to say this is my last one, but 'Father Time' has gotten to me. I wasn't the player I used to be." Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose Writing. Super DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now! Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson comments on his 2017 AFC Wild Card sack of Marcus Mariota
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his memorable sack of Marcus Mariota in the 2017 AFC Wild Card playoffs. "Right now, the littles (Derrick's children) love it because their names are in the book. But at the beginning of the book, it says, hey, you know, this is Derrick Johnson and Brittni Johnson, and this is their family, and they have six kids. They're like, Oh, snap, that's us right there. So that's kind of cool." said Johnson, "So that made them be like, alright, that I got the upper hand for them to really dive into the book, and they enjoy it because now they know it's about Dad and it's, it has them at the beginning of the book and the end of the book. So it's kind of cool. Cool seeing their reaction. I'm talking about the littles, the big boys. They're like, Oh, that's cool. They read it, but it's mainly for little kids." Johnson had eight tackles in the 2017 AFC Wild Card Game and sacked quarterback Marcus Mariota in an electrifying manner that could have resulted in a turnover. The Chiefs' 22–21 loss to the Tennessee Titans also served as Johnson's last with the team after 13 seasons. "When you're at home and in the playoffs, up 21-3, you book it. I don't care if it's the end of the second or third quarter. I don't care what it is. You figured out how to win the game; unfortunately, we didn't. Some things happened in that game, where, if they go our way, we probably win," said Johnson, "I'm always reminded by Chiefs fans when I see them play. 'Man, that Mariota hit.' That Titans game in 2017 was tough. It was obviously a bad call. They look at it now and, like, there's no way you call that. I think they called it forward progress. I mean, it was a hit-and-out. I had a really good game, my last game as a Chief, and, man, I got some really good championship moments. Never won the big one at the Chiefs, but was there for 13 years. So I learned a lot and was blessed a lot." Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose Writing. Super DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now! Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Derrick Johnson recalls Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' rookie year
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and experience playing with Patrick Mahomes for a season. "Super DJ is my IG name, but I have a tattoo on my arm, a number 11 with the Superman symbol. My family nicknamed me that when I went to college because I blew up on the field, and everybody started calling me super DJ," said Johnson, "So that was pretty cool, but it's always stuck with me. It's just obviously a superhero. Superman was my superhero growing up, and just being able to tap into that, that Superman mentality of just having excellence and doing things at a high level, that's the professionalism in me and being able to exceed and just whatever I do, even it's on the field or off the field, or it's in The classroom or talking to kids, being able to elevate their game on or off the field, through character, through humility, and just through being a good person." The 2017 season was Johnson's last with the Chiefs, but it was also the rookie year for franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who made his impression early in practices. "In practice, I've never gotten fussed at by defensive coaches that much from a scout team quarterback that just lets you know the balls he was throwing and that no look stuff looking this way and throwing that way. I saw that in practice. I thought it was a joke," said Johnson, "I thought he was playing around. But obviously, that's what he does. He's a very confident quarterback. He looks nice, but his arm isn't nice like he's all about throwing a big ball. He's got the ultimate confidence. He's very skilled. He's faster than you think. You think you'll get him down, and he runs away from you a little bit and then throws the ball across his body. He breaks all the rules when it comes to playing the quarterback position. I wish you knew either I was younger, or he was older, so we could overlap a little bit more, but seeing him play is a joy." Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose Writing. Super DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now! Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Retired Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson reflects on practices with Tony Gonzalez, Travis Kelce
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his memories practicing opposite superstar tight ends Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce. "This book exemplifies adverse moments where a bully is; you have to handle a bully. You have to handle sportsmanship, working well with others, being nice to people, remembering something that happened, being bad, where you failed, and not letting that hurt you." said Johnson, "This time, knowing that everybody's best looks a little different, being content with saying, hey, if I did my best, it might not, I may not get first place. But you know what I'm proud of, what I put out, even if it's in the classroom or on the field day, obviously the book (Super DJ Saves Field Day)." Johnson began his career with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez as a leader on the Chiefs. They remained teammates until Gonzalez's departure to the Atlanta Falcons after the 2008 season. "Tony Gonzalez, man. I mean, he was well-established when I came there in 2005. I don't know if he was already a seven, eight-year, seven-year guy, but he was the man. And you can tell, you can tell, right when you get out there, you're like, man, I was super athletic, but he's still going to catch the ball. He's just what it is. He's just a mastermind regarding route running." Johnson said, "He's very, very consistent. He catches everything. He's not the fastest, or even the biggest or the strongest, but just being consistent at running efficient routes, and he wanted the ball. I mean, if, even if he wasn't open, he's going back to the quarterback, Trent Green, and all those guys back in the day, 'I'm open. Give me the ball. So those kinds of guys have a high ceiling and are destined to be great." Kelce was drafted by Kansas City in 2013. He enters the 2025 season third all-time behind Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten in tight end yards. He is only 2,977 yards behind Gonzalez for the most for a tight end in NFL history. "I saw Travis Kelce when he first got there. He was hurt for a year and a half, so he got off slow, and I didn't even know who he was. I've seen a lot of players. I played 13 years for Kansas City and seeing him, I'm like, "Okay, you've got another big tight end with some potential, but we'll see what he is." You don't know. But after his second year, I'm like, Man, this guy is the real deal. He's different from Tony," said Johnson, "He's a really good catcher, but his route running is different. He's more vertical down the field when he does run in immediate routes. He has a wiggle about him that's very subtle, a silent killer that you say, Man, why aren't they getting this big guy down? He's got some wiggle in him, which I think is different from any tight end I've ever seen before. He knows how to get yards after catch, and he's playing with the best quarterback (Patrick Mahomes) ever. So that's a great combination. It's cool to see him come from a rookie coming into the league a little hurt, then finding his way and just blowing up. I mean, Hall of Fame tight end." Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose Writing. Super DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now! Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Derrick Johnson opens up about his experience with Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid
A post shared by Defend The Dream Foundation (@defendthedreamfoundation) This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his experience playing for head coach Andy Reid."It's all about doing your best. So, my wife (Brittni Johnson) and I are big on philanthropy, giving back, and being able to attend these schools. We're like, man, you're always talking this good talk about how hard they have to work, and they have school, which is important, and all this stuff. And why don't we write a book together? And the book is mainly about doing your best," said Johnson, "We're in a time where you do stuff easier, you do stuff smarter, and you work less. That type of vibe, that microwave mentality, something quick and easy, hard work still pays off. Hard work is something that they are always going to need." On January 4th, 2013, Andy Reid signed a five-year contract to become the Chiefs' head coach, forever changing the franchise's fortunes."I saw Dick Vermeil drafting me, and then he retired a year later. Then Herm Edwards came and came for three years, and then Todd Haley was two and a half years, which wasn't too good. And then Romeo Cornell just stepped in and was there for a year and a half for us," said Johnson, "The Eagles, I don't know how they let Andy go, but we loved it. We needed somebody for our 2013 season, and Andy Reid was available. I mean, when he first walked in, the level of confidence he brings to the table is impressive, given his proven coaching experience. I mean, you talk about a high level. He's not a screamer, so if Andy Reid is yelling, we've got something wrong, we gotta listen up."Reid has 273 career victories, trailing only Belichick's 302, George Halas' 318, and Don Shula's 328. The Chiefs won 15 games in 2024, and he's the franchise's all-time wins leader."He lets us be men; he's always talking about letting your personality show on the football field. So, whoever you are, be that person out there, of course, within the scheme, but be who you are. For him to always mention, hey, let your personality show out here, allowing you to play to your full potential when you're out on the football field. He's just a heck of a guy, man." said Johnson, "I mean, you talk about, talk about his family, you talk about him and his wife just being able to integrate his family and be able to speak with him one on one regular like, don't get me wrong, it's all about football, but he's a good man that wants everybody to be successful, not just on the field, but off the field. He's a heck of a guy. Best coach I've had. I only had him for five years. I wish I had more. But every year, we were winning games and making it to the playoffs. Unfortunately, as soon as I retired, they won the Super Bowl the next year, but seeing him have a lot of success as an older gentleman, I'm loving it." Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now!Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.
