Chris Johnson has seemingly discovered the Fountain of Youth with the Arizona Cardinals, as the 30-year-old veteran ranks second in the NFL with 567 rushing yards through seven games. How did he get here after an incredibly disappointing season with the New York Jets last year?
By not allowing a measly bullet to get in the way of his preparation.
Jay Glazer told TMZ this week that Johnson, who was shot during a drive-by that left one person dead back in March, trained at the NFL reporter’s Unbreakable Performance Center in Los Angeles before doctors had removed the bullet from his shoulder.
“He came into our place with the bullet still in the shoulder, lodged against the nerve and his arm in a sling,” Glazer explained. “We’re like, ‘What are you doing?’ He’s like, ‘Hey, I’m here to work out. I’m ready to go. … We can do lower body.'”
Glazer said he was blown away by Johnson’s level of commitment.
“A lot of these guys are not willing to go that extra step,” he said. “We put Chris through a dark time. We put you through a dark place and hope you come out the other side a different guy. 80 percent of pro athletes don’t want to deal with that.”
The bullet has since been removed, but a recent hack of Johnson’s Wikipedia page indicated otherwise.
Johnson has been questioned throughout his career for taking plays off and only running hard when he wants to. He also had some legal trouble stemming from this incident during the offseason, which made it seem like his playing days could be over. Whether you’re a fan or not, you have to admit what Johnson is doing with the Cardinals is pretty remarkable.
Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
