Butler grad Johnson makes return to the gridiron
The desire to pull on a helmet and track down the quarterback is something that Butler graduate Justin Johnson just can’t shake.
Despite not having pulled on a helmet to take part in an organized football game in five years, he recently returned to the sport with the Erie Express of Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL).
Johnson last played at Thiel College during the 2016-17 season, before moving on to wrestle at Mercyhurst. Again participating in the sport he loves, he’s hoping to get looks and eventually climb in the ranks.
According to Express coach Corey King, over 80 Express players have gone on to sign contracts at the professional level.
“For some odd reason, it’s still my dream,” Johnson said. “Since I was small, I’ve been around football … From the time I woke up to the time I went to sleep, it was nothing but football.”
His dedication to the grind proves his passion.
Johnson works as a landscaper Monday through Friday. He starts early in the morning and, oftentimes, works out at D1 Training in Cranberry Township shortly after his shift is through.
“Some crews get done faster, and they know that I play football, so they let me off a little earlier on certain days,”
At this level, the sport has a different preparation structure than most football players are used to working in. In essence, the Express is a tri-state group.
“We have players that come the whole way from Akron (or) Buffalo,” said King. “We don’t even really practice once the season starts ... because of (players’) jobs, people have children involved in things, it’s not even practical.”
“Our owner (Paul Pennington) always lives by ‘Life comes first, football second,’” Johnson said. “People have jobs, people own business, people have kids … We all make sure we can show up on that Saturday.”
The team had the chance to gel during a preseason camp in which it got in six practices over two weekends. In order to work with his squad’s conflicting personal schedules, King does his best to coach virtually throughout the season.
The Express are the defending national champions of the 30-team league. They’re currently on a 15-game win streak.
Johnson didn’t have to wait long to get on the field for the team, starting at defensive end in Erie’s opener, a 21-20 win over the Upstate Predators.
“Once he got on the field and put his hand on the grass, he moved like a football player,” King said. “He looked the part. It didn’t take a whole lot of guesswork.”
“I definitely get out there and lay the boom still,” Johnson said. “Chasing after guys who’ve still got speed, it’s fast and difficult. You’ve got to go home and pretty much work by yourself.”
Part of the challenge is also getting used to different methodologies. Sometimes, the way his coaches go about techniques aren’t the same as he’s previously learned.
Each of the members of the team has to pay for their helmets and shoulder pads, and also for the jerseys if they want to keep them. The players make money through the team’s sponsors.
Johnson also values the camaraderie that comes with the time spent with his teammates.
“I love the sport dearly, but the people that I’ve met playing the sport can change your life,” Johnson said. “There’s that family factor.”
Erie gets back to it against the Baltimore Lightning, who are 2-0, on Saturday.
