Daniele Franceschi – Argos Admirals Insider
TORONTO – For the better part of the past month, veteran fullback/running back Jeff Johnson had been contemplating retirement. Subsequently, on Friday, it became official as the 36-year-old Toronto native announced his intent to begin a new chapter in his life, one that does not include football.
Physically, Johnson feels that he is capable of returning to the gridiron. However, mentally, the York University product admits that he lacks the drive and motivation that he once possessed as a young upstart Canadian football player.
“My body is intact and if I wanted to keep going based on my body, it would definitely tell me to keep going,” commented Johnson after announcing his retirement on Friday. “There’s a part of me that’s losing that desire. I recognize it and I also had to convince myself a little bit that it was there at the end of the year. It took me about three weeks or so to admit that a part of the game is leaving me and it’s time to move on.”
Over the course of his 14 CFL seasons, Johnson has achieved a multitude of accomplishments while on the football field. Statistically, as a versatile fullback/running back, Johnson tallied 997 yards and 11 touchdowns along the ground while adding 135 career receptions for 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, it was Johnson’s unique leadership presence within the confines of the Argonauts’ locker room that made him one of the CFL’s most revered players.
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“Jeff has been a consummate professional in every sense of the term. Since I’ve known him, he has been everything one could want in a football player on and off the field,” said Argonauts General Manager, Jim Barker, in a release on Argonauts.ca. “His work ethic, leadership, sense of family, and enthusiasm for the game has set him apart his entire career.”
Johnson, who has three children, one daughter, Maya, and two sons, Justyce and Lincoln Jet, acknowledges that his family has played a significant role in his decision to retire following a nearly decade-and-a-half long career.
“There are certain thoughts that begin to creep into your head. When that happens, your mindset starts to change a little bit. You start to play the game differently,” stated Johnson. “I’m thinking about my kids and them growing up, especially with the potential injuries that can occur It definitely causes you to hesitate when you’re on the field and therefore it results in being unsuccessful.”
In 2000, Johnson entered the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Looking back, the 5-foot-10, 216-pound veteran, better known as “JJ”, recalls a specific kickoff return during one of the Ticats’ pre-season games that acted as a launching pad for his storied CFL career.
“I had a kickoff return my first year in Hamilton. Bernie Custis pulled me aside after the return and told me that I had made the team,” explained Johnson, reminiscing about the beginning of his two-year tenure with the Tiger-Cats. “That was a special moment because I was undrafted and I was probably a long shot to make the team at that time.”
Following the 2001 season, Johnson joined the Argonauts as a free agent. Indeed, it was a dream come true for a young Toronto native that had grown up watching the likes of Condredge Holloway and Michael “Pinball” Clemons dominate the CFL while guiding the Double Blue to multiple Grey Cup titles.
“It has been an honour and an absolute pleasure,” said Johnson of the 12 years he has spent as a member of the Boatmen. “I could have never foreseen it. After I was with Hamilton for those first two years, I received the call from Toronto. It was a real treat when Paul Masotti gave me the call because I grew up watching Condredge Holloway, Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, and Michael “Pinball” Clemons. I couldn’t have asked for anything greater. I was very proud that first year and have been every one since then.”
Truthfully, as difficult as the past month has been for Johnson, the longtime Argo recognizes that all things, at one point or another, must come to an end, and declares that he is prepared for whatever life after football has to offer.
“I’ve always been prepared for retirement. Essentially, I’ve always worked in the off-season full-time. That being said, I have shifted careers in the off-season a couple of times but I’m always learning,” proclaimed Johnson. “That’s something that I’m going to continue to do. I’ve been a personal trainer for seven years and a real estate agent for six but I continue to look for other opportunities.”
This Sunday, December 22, 2013, marks the four-week anniversary of the Argonauts’ demoralizing 36-24 defeat at the hands of their provincial rivals, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, in the Eastern Final. While the loss still stings even a month removed from the conclusion of the 2013 campaign, Johnson, who was the Argonauts’ longest tenured player entering the off-season, affirms that he is retiring with absolutely no regrets and is grateful for the opportunities that were presented to him over the course of his CFL career.
“Ending it last year I would have been disappointed. I’m a no regret guy,” said Johnson. “I want to look back and say that I played as long as I could, but more importantly, I played the way I was supposed to play; leaving it all on the field, going full speed, and giving everything I had.”
Insider Extra – Leading By Example
Immediately following the public release of his retirement, Johnson received a text message from a young man who, for the past few years, has worked as an equipment assistant inside the Argonauts’ locker room.
“He told me that I was a role model for him and that he hopes to carry his behaviour in the manner that I do,” said Johnson, briefly summarizing the message. “Your family will tell you things like that but from a kid that you speak with every so often, that was truly special.”
In the midst of a hectic day with several friends, teammates, and coaches sending their best wishes, Johnson was mesmerized by the kind words directed his way from the Boatmen’s locker room assistant.
“This was amongst the many messages sent to me today. However, this is one of them that kind of brought everything together,” declared Johnson. “People are always watching. People are always observing and learning. This really brought everything together and exhibits what this day has truly been about.”