Some of the younger readers might not remember this, but there was a time when players from Waco never even thought of going to Baylor. Such was the case with Derrick Johnson, who went straight from being a Parade All-American and a member of the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl straight to Mack Brown’s Texas Longhorns.
Johnson had amazing stats in high school, but they were nothing compared to his stats in college. He was a 1st team all-Big 12 selection three times, and an All-American twice, by a unanimous vote in his senior year. Johnson was an all around good linebacker in his time, recording 10.5 sacks and 9 interceptions over his college career.
Johnson was drafted 15th overall by the Chiefs, and has played there in each of his 12 NFL season. As Johnson’s become older, he’s only become better, finally making his way to the Pro Bowl in 2011, and has been there every year since.
DJ’s Chiefs are having a heck of a season. They’re 9-3, 2nd in the AFC West, and tonight, they play the #1 team in their division, the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs have already beaten the Raiders once this year, and another win would certainly give Kansas City the first place spot in their division.
It’s the first time in two decades that a game between the Raiders and the Chiefs has meant something other than a rivalry win, and Derrick Johnson will surely be ready to play. The native Texan leads his team in tackles yet again with 89 total on the year. He’ll need to play excellently against the Raiders, one of the best offenses in the league. Something tells me that he’s completely and totally up to the task.
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