Former Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft less than 24 hours ago, but he has already given the Philly media a glimpse into the type of guy that he is. Most rookies focus on trying to say and do the right things when they first come into the NFL, but Johnson felt the urge to screw with Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer on Friday.
A rumor was floating around that Johnson used to wrestle black bears on his uncle’s ranch, and the big man decided to perpetuate it. Johnson got into detail after confirming to McLane that he used to tangle with Bears in East Texas.
Lane Johnson said the black bears he wrestled were on his uncle’s ranch. No grizzlies. He said he may have helped blocking technique.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 26, 2013
Lane Johnson’s wife, Chelsea, said she never knew her husband wrestled bears. Welcome to the Philly media. Wedig up everything!
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 26, 2013
Before things got too crazy and every sports blog in America was talking about Johnson’s incredible training regimen, he came clean.
Lane Johnson just told me he made up the story that he used to wrestle bears.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 26, 2013
Talk about making an outstanding first impression. If you remember, this is the same Johnson who was open about the fact that his interview with the Cincinnati Bengals back in February got really, really weird. He sounds like a fun-loving guy, which should make life easier on the media. Or harder, depending on how many more fake stories he has up his sleeve.
