Johnson Has Important Message

He looks as though he could still play some safety, but Johnnie Johnson releases his aggressions on a tennis ball these days. He finds competition not in shutting down No. 80 in a red and white jersey, but in opening up young people’s minds to new horizons.

“The greatest satisfaction I enjoyed was playing football,” Johnson said. “I didn’t know if there was anything that could give me that same satisfaction. My work with young kids comes as close to that feeling as anything.”

Johnson still watches football, but he doesn’t feel the game anymore.

‘My passion now is helping young people better their lives and present them with opportunities,” said Johnson, who will be inducted into the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame during ceremonies Thursday at the Anaheim Marriott. “I want to let them know there is a world out there. You can have all the setbacks and challenges, but you are able to overcome them.”

As Johnson talks about life after football, it becomes obvious he wants to make a difference.

“My vision really is to change communities,” said Johnson, who lives in Anaheim Hills with his wife Julie and two young children, Colin and Kirk. “But in order to do that, I need help from private people, corporations, adults, all of that.”

During his playing days, Johnson delivered powerful messages to wide receivers cruising across the middle. Now, he delivers them to young people and corporate America in passionate speeches about improving self-esteem and establishing goals. Johnson’s company, JGJ Research International, develops a curriculum that provides life skills for youths across the world.

Last week, Johnson was in Seattle, Champaign, Ill., Columbus, Ohio, and Rosarito Beach, Mexico, speaking to youth groups and corporations. He speaks about self-improvement and self-respect, but Johnson’s hook is his sports career.

“I know that defensive back is not the most highly visible position, but my sports background really lays a foundation,” he said. “In fact, the No. 1 thing I got out of sports was the contacts and the relationships I developed over the years.”

One of those contacts is the NFL Players Assn., which recently endorsed Johnson’s programs, Investment in Excellence for Distinctive Growth and Pathways for Youth. JGJ Research’s partner for the programs is the Seattle-based Pacific Institute.

In addition to his work with kids, Johnson also runs ERA Action Real Estate, a company he founded 11 years ago, and writes books. He is working on his third personal development book. In 1996, The Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce named Johnson business person of the year.

If it seems as though Johnson’s mind is a long way from the football field, it is.

“I don’t miss the football, especially the physical part,” he said. “What I miss most is competing on the road in hostile environments, and of course the camaraderie.”

Johnson played for the Rams from 1980 to 1988. He came to the Rams from the University of Texas as the 15th selection of the 1980 draft. Quarterback Vince Ferragamo, who led the Rams to the Super Bowl the previous season, said Johnson quickly stood out.

“We already had Jack Youngblood and a couple of other guys holding out, then Johnnie, a rookie, comes in and signs a million-dollar contract,” Ferragamo said. “That really stirred things up.”

But Johnson silenced the other veterans by having a great season--he was the NFC’s defensive rookie of the year.

“Johnnie only weighed 165 pounds when he came in, but man could he hit,” Ferragamo said. “He had no fear. He’d rip guys to shreds. He was like a Ronnie Lott without the size. And somehow, he never got hurt. As skinny as he was, that’s what always amazed me.”

Johnson had his best year in 1983, intercepting four passes and making 82 tackles. In that season, Johnson played three positions--strong and free safety and cornerback.

“He’s the only guy I know who could play three positions with all all-pro caliber,” Ferragamo said.

Johnson left the Rams in 1988 and signed with the Seattle Seahawks, who were coached by former Ram Coach Chuck Knox. The artificial turf in the Kingdome bothered Johnson, who lasted four games before asking for his release.

“I valued my knees,” he said. “I didn’t want to develop any knee problems. I was fortunate. I was a very physical player and I have the aches and pains. But I have nowhere near the problems some other players are going through.”

The Rams briefly took Johnson away from his real estate business during the 1990 playoffs because of several injuries in the secondary. But he decided against a comeback and retired after the season with his body intact.

Today at 40, Johnson weighs about 10 pounds less than his playing weight of 185. He doesn’t smoke or drink and plays a fair amount of tennis. Two weeks ago, he hosted the third Johnnie Johnson Celebrity Tennis Tournament at Sunny Hills Racquet Club. The event raised money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

He played doubles with former pro player Nels Van Patten against women’s touring pro Lila Osterloh and highly ranked junior Ryan Moore.

Johnson said he held his own.

“I’m a serve and volleyer with a big forehand,” Johnson said. “A couple times they got it into my wheelhouse and I hurt them.”

Johnson began taking tennis seriously after he was embarrassed by Bruce Jenner in an exhibition match 15 years ago.

“He just whipped my butt,” Johnson said. “I said, ‘No way. I have to take some lessons.’ I like tennis because you can out and get a real good workout physically and mentally and you can do it till you’re 75.”

But Johnson knows he’s not being enshrined into the county’s Sports Hall of Fame for his serve-and-volley tennis game.

“It’s nice someone remembered my playing days,” he said. “This shows that people appreciated the level that you played on. It’s an honor and thrill to be going in there with a such a variety of people. That probably means more to me than anything. I’m such a believer in diversity and women’s rights. It lets me know the playing field is being leveled for all of us.”

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Hall of Fame

* What: Orange County Sports Hall of Fame’s 16th induction banquet

* When: Thursday

* Where: Anaheim Marriott Hotel

* Class of ’98 inductees: Bob Boone, Bob Boyd, Steve DeBerg, Debbie Green, Johnnie Johnson, Dan Quisenberry and Leon Wood. Receiving special awards: Paul Salata, Ken Purcell, Bill Cunerty, Jim Gattis and the late Duncan Clark.

* Tickets: $100

* Information: Marianne DeRose, (714) 758-9882