More from The Q&A: Charlie Johnson
Usually when I have leftover goodies from one of my conversations for The Q&A, I share them in one fell swoop on my blog.
Not today.
I talked with Charlie Johnson earlier this week. The Indianapolis Colts left tackle is preparing for his second Super Bowl in this, his fourth season in the NFL. It’s been quite a journey for the former Oklahoma State standout. He talked about some of that in The Q&A, but there was so much more that he shared during my 15-minute conversation with him. He talked about being part of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL this season, about being considered the offense’s biggest question mark heading into the season, about the fines that the linemen dole out to each other.
We’ll get to that in my blog this week as the Super Bowl gets closer, so you’ll want to stay tuned for that.
But I wanted to share something about Johnson: he’s one of the good guys in sports.
So often we hear about the troublemakers and the lawbreakers, but Johnson is a guy who’s quietly made his way in the NFL and become a key cog in one of the league’s premier franchises. After all, they don’t let just anyone protect Peyton Manning’s backside. To think, he only started playing on the offensive line five years ago when he moved from tight end before his senior year at OSU.
But beyond the on-field performance, Johnson is thoughtful and articulate. He’s become one of the de facto spokesmen for the Colts’ offensive line.
And I can tell you from experience, he is the opposite of a big-timer. A couple years back, I came by his cell number. To reporters, cell numbers are like gold. We hang on to every single one. We guard them with our lives. Yet, those numbers are only as good as the person on the other end. If they don’t want to call you back, if they don’t want to answer your messages, you’re out of luck.
I sent Johnson a text Tuesday morning to see if we could chat about going to the Super Bowl. Less than five minutes later, he replied with a yes. Less than three hours later, we were chatting.
Johnson could’ve big-timed me or could’ve just said he was too busy. Frankly, I would’ve understood — this is, after all, one of the biggest and busiest times of his life — but he isn’t that way.
He is one of the good guys.
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Charlie sounds like a typical Cowboy Alum, with lots of class!