NFL Receiver Overcomes Biggest Obstacle…Himself

NFL wide receiver Charles Johnson  is considered one of the deadliest weapons in the Minnesota Vikings air assault. In 2014, his first season with the team, he had 31 receptions for 475 yards in just 11 games. CJ was living his dream. But before making it to the NFL, Charles had to overcome his biggest obstacle-himself. A journey that began when he was a student athlete at Eastern Kentucky University.

“You know, I was a true freshman, I was very immature. I started just hanging out with friends, wanting to be cool. Thought I was big time or something, I don't know what I thought,” said Charles.

Charles grew up in Northern Kentucky. He accepted Christ while attending Young Life in high school. When he went off to college, he shoved his faith in the back seat.

“It kind of…started slipping away a little bit more. Because I was at school, I wasn’t around it anymore,” he said.

As a result, Charles lost focus on his priorities. While he was playing well on the field, he was having too much fun off of it. He was getting into trouble with the school officials.

“We’d just get in trouble for the dumbest things. Like we got in trouble for taking a couch out of the lobby, putting it in our room. They wrote us up for that. We got in trouble for fighting with fire extinguishers in the hallways.”

Charles was eventually suspended from the university for 2 years and had to return home. On the drive back he got the wake up call of his life.

“I’m going about 80 in the fast lane. So once I tap the brake, I start to hydroplane and my tail starts to spin out. I just smash into the median and when I smash, I look back to see what’s coming to hit me and two semis, zoom, zoom, spin right by me and I just stop. And then I drove off to the side. I was crying,” said Charles.

“I just felt like...that could’ve been the end of me. That could’ve been the end of Charles Johnson. I need to really figure out, I really need to tighten up and figure out what I wanted to do.”

It was too late for him to be added to another school’s roster and his only option was to play at Antelope Valley College in California.  Trying to make it to the NFL from a junior college can be nearly impossible.

“So I go through that, I’m going to school, football, struggling, eating Ramen noodles every day. And I don't know what I’m going to do,” said Charles.

Charles had a great year with the Marauders. But things off the field once again derailed his plans. His girlfriend Kalyn became pregnant. He also received news that his father was ill. He had no idea how he was going to provide for a child or help his father, so he went to God in prayer.

“I prayed, let me find a way. You just – you just give me the calling and I’ll answer,” said Charles.

Charles rededicated his life to the Lord.

“He’s like, 'Man, here’s what you need to do. Man, football is for you, this is what you got to go do.' It wasn’t always easy but I mean we made it through. I went to another school; I took classes at a local community college just to finish up my degree. And I was working at Arby’s, working at Olive Garden back to back. And still trying to stay in shape for football because I knew I wanted to go back.”

Charles earned a spot at Grand Valley State University, a Division II school in Michigan.

“I knew it was a blessing from Him. Because all the times—all the struggle I had went through to that point, I mean, He continued to give me the strength to endure and to keep moving forward and to just find my way. That’s why I live by one of the –one of my favorite Scriptures is the Philippians 4:13. I mean, a lot of people use it but I live by it. Because I know His strength, He gives me that strength.”

Charles had a stellar career at Grand Valley State. Though he wasn’t invited to the NFL combine, he impressed scouts at his senior pro-day and was selected in the 7th round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. Just before training camp he was assigned to the practice squad because of an injury, but he was picked up by Cleveland. In September of 2014, Charles found his home in Minnesota. It didn’t take him long to earn the starting job.

“I was like yep, this is it. And then I got worked in slowly. At first I was getting 5 plays a game, 10 plays a game, 20 plays. Then boom, I’m starting.”

Today Charles and Kalyn are married with three children, and father’s health has improved. He says if there is one thing he’s learned during this journey, it is that all things work together for good when you love God and follow his call.

“I just think Jesus Christ – like if you’re going through something, if nobody else is going to be there, He’s going to be there. I can guarantee you that. He might not respond the way that you want Him to sometimes. But He’s listening. So I mean, it’s been—it’s been a long journey but He’s blessed me,” said Charles.