Hurricane Legend, NFL Star, Community Hero

On Tuesday, December 2, 2008, I had an opportunity to talk by phone with current NFL star and former University of Miami football player Andre Johnson.  Johnson was at a charity event in Houston that was being held to honor him and celebrate the building of a playground at a local elementary school. 

An excerpt from the media release for the event is posted below:

"The playground is part of The Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP program that recognizes and celebrates NFL players for their commitment to giving back to their local communities. Johnson was one of 17 players selected for his help in founding the Andre Johnson Foundation, which is committed to empowering and developing youth from single-parent homes into responsible and educated citizens.  The Home Depot developed the NFL Neighborhood MVP program as part of its ongoing commitment to give back to the communities its associates live and work in." 

Johnson, who helped lead UM to the 2001 National Championship and was co-MVP with Ken Dorsey in the 2002 Rose Bowl game, is a Hurricane legend for his dominating on field performances.  A big, strong, physical reciever, "AJ" as he was affectionately known by UM fans, often looked like a man against boys at the college level.

In 2008, Andre has undeniably become an NFL star. In his sixth year in the league and playing for the Houston Texans, Johnson is leading the NFL in both receptions (88) and yards (1,146) this season.  He is widely recognized by his peers and has been labeled by many experts as the most talented, most explosive and best overall wide receiver in the league. 

It is clear that on the field, Andre Johnson has reached the pinnacle of his profession.

But maybe more important than all of his on the field achievements and accolades is his on-going work through the Andre Johnson Foundation (http://andrejohnsonfoundation.org/).  His efforts and contributions have led to him being recognized as a community hero in both Houston and Miami.  So much so that this year, Johnson was nominated as one of the finalists for the NFL Neighborhood MVP Award.  

Here is a little more on the award from the NFL site:

Established in 2007, The Home Depot and the NFL partnered together to create 'The Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP' program to recognize NFL players who are making a positive impact in their local communities through charitable programs and contributions. In its inaugural year, The Home Depot Neighborhood MVP Program impacted the lives of 139,000 families and children through 17 different building projects across the country including 13 field refurbishments, three playground builds and a community center improvement project. 

This year, of the 17 players who were nominated, two former Hurricanes made the list: Johnson of the Houston Texans and Vernon Carey of the Miami Dolphins.  We enourage Canes fans to vote early and vote often!

Here is my interview with Hurricane legend, NFL star and community hero Andre Johnson:

86Cane: Andre, thanks for taking time to talk with us today!

Andre Johnson: I'm glad to do it. 

86: Before we get started I just wanted to let you know that I watched your game last night on Monday Night Football: 7 catches for 75 yards and a TD; not a bad night's work.

AJ: Yeah, it was good game for us.  It was fun playing on Monday Night.  You know everybody's watching.

86: You started the Andre Johnson Foundation in 2003.  Tell us a little more about what motivated you to start the foundation and what your mission and goals are?

AJ:  It was something that I always wanted to do.  I told myself that if I ever made it to the NFL that I would want to give something back to the community.  When I was growing up we never had guys from the NFL come into our neighborhood and talk to us.  I wanted to give that to the kids.  Our goal is to show kids from single family homes in Houston and Miami that in spite of their situation, they can do whatever they want; they can achieve their goals and be successful. 

86: How does it feel to be nominated to for the NFL Neighborhood MVP Award?  It is a big honor, you must be excited? 

AJ: It's a great feeling.  It really has been a lot of fun.  We are now building a playground for kids in Houston.  It means somebody out there is watching what we do as players, not only on the field but off the field.  It feels good to give back to the community and get recognized for that.

86: You are currently in your 6th season in the NFL and are leading the league in catches and yards.What has been the biggest difference in your performance this season?

AJ: Well, it's mainly just that I have been healthy all season.  Last year I started off real strong, but then got hurt and missed seven games.  I had to have knee surgery and rehab in the off season.  This year I picked up where I left off and just had the mind-set that I was determined to to show everybody that I was one of the best in the league.  That's what I am doing.

86: Take us back to your UM days and the 2001 National Championship season.  Some people have called that team the most talented team ever.  What was it that made that team so special?

AJ: No doubt we had talent, but what made that team was the hard work and determination that we had.  We were committed to winning the national championship and that's what we did.  My days in Miami were some of my best days ever. 

86: Let's talk about the current UM wide receiver's.  Are there any that you talk to and that you believe have the talent to be an NFL player like yourself?

AJ: All of them have the opportunity.  Most of them are young kids and have a lot to learn.  Aldarius Johnson is one that kinda stands out.  He has all the tools to play in the league.  I wasn't able to meet all of them last year because I had knee surgery and stayed here in Houston to rehab and work out.  But this year, I'll go back to UM to work out during the off season and work out with them.  I'll pick their brains and I'll let them pick mine and we can help each other get better. 

86: Andre it was great talking to you today!  I want to let you know that all of us Canes fans are proud of your accomplishments on and off the field.  We will be voting for you in the NFL Neighborhood MVP award.  Take care and hope to talk to you again soon.

AJ: OK, thanks!

Comments

[canechic]

Seminole will play Boone HS to determine who goes to state. NW and Seminole in the citrus bowl??

[canechic]

..

[Six]

FINAL: PLANT 17, ARMWOOD 14

Just got back from the Armwood/Plant game, decided to drive over and stop by ... guess who I saw there -

- Lane Kiffin, checking out Orson Charles

- Robert Marve, standing next to Aaron Murray on the sidelines .. both with headsets on, helping out the Sophomore QB, Phillip Ely for Plant

- Tony Dungy out there with Robert Marve, pumping up the Plant team before the game

- Aqib Talib, Tennard Jackson, basically the entire Bucs secondary

- Coaches from basically every big school you can imagine (Georgia, Miami, Florida State), every single one of them hanging all over Orson Charles family.

Orson Charles played out of his mind tonight. I seriously don't think it was him, but some alien that took over his body. He made a catch in the 2nd Quarter that looked like he had no chance catching up to, and turned it into a 26 yard TD. Charles also made a nice catch, and ran through everyone for a 39 yard TD. He also went nuts playing defense. I have no idea who that freak of nature was out on the field that was wearing Charles uniform, but, he went absolutely insane.

Armwood did not blitz like they did during the first game against Plant. I mean, THEY DID NOT BLITZ AT ALL. I have no idea why. You could tell they were also a little confused, it looked like Plant was running a completely different offense than what I've seen them run all year. When Armwood played Plant for the first game of the year, with Aaron Murray playing, they freaking blitzed him every damn play. Tonight - nothing.

Mywan Jackson, the Armwood QB, didn't even play the majority of the first half b/c of an injury.

Armwood killed themselves with penalties and horrible kicking game. Insane amount of penalties, stupid penalties. Mywan Jackson being out of the game, esp. at the end of the game - hurt them tremendously. The other QB they had that came in, you could tell he really didn't have a clue. Armwood tried to run the spread, instead of sticking to their regular power I game. They missed a 32 yard FG at the end of the game to tie it, and Plant won.

Dwyer beat Booker T. Washington, so, Plant will be playing Dwyer next week - up here in Tampa. Unbelievable.

[1miamifan]

Final Score MNW 40 Killian 15

[CaneWarrior]

***

[hurriphin]

cock-a-doodle-doo

[hurriphin]

hurriphin...the U

[MWD]

I put on for my city...Bill Young

[OCALACANE]

...

[SuperCooper]

Jack is going to slap Kentucky for 40 minutes tonight. Can't wait.

[SuperCooper]

A comment from a Florida fan on Debose:

"ohh and also for who ever was watching the game, on our last touchdown where Andre ran it like 60 or so yards at the end of the play after his back flip he ran to the sidelines and pointed at the miami recruter idk who it was maybe shannon but i was far from the play and he shook his head up and down at him, kinda scared me because i would not wanna see all 3 of our good guys go to that school down south"

I like the sound of that.

[bhamcanesfan]

Sean Taylor

[canechic]

Good morning

[86Cane]

MNW vs Killian wrap up:

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/801729.html

[canechic]

Super those guys are great athletes, think maybe they want to stay together like the Northwestern guys did last year?

It is pretty dead on the blog!

[86Cane]

Canechic...nice work on the HS fooball games last night. Thanks for that!

I'm off to Tampa for the ACC Championship game. Gonna write it up for the blog and take some photos. Wish me luck, I'm wearing CANESPACE to the game!!!

SIX...call me whenever, I'll be there around 11:30.

[canechic]

Have fun 86 wish canes were playing but maybe next year, gosh I am tired of saying that!

[DZ8]

SuperCooper: you put a smile on my face with that florida fans comments. Thank U.

[Canez1]

Jacory is back working out and should play in the bowl game.

CC we might have to write a few letters to Santa to get the Trio down here in Feb ;)

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[roachcane77]

Watching College Gameday... both Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit pick Miami's 2001 defense as the GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

Yeah, that's right...

Let's Go Canes!

[hurriphin]

)(

[hurriphin]

kinda like when the blur scored in the 07' muck bowl, and threw up the U, huh soop' coop'......?

[shwarma]

Have two comments for the space' this morning:

Does anyone else feel that this bowl game is of very high significance. 7-5 was an improvement and we showed things are starting to turn, but I think to convince those great recruits things are on the up and up, this win could be key. Also, a win gives the young guns more fire going into the spring.

Secondly with recruiting, as we now have 16 recruits, I figure after transfers we will be looking at 23-24 schollies. Allowing for 1-2 decommittments this is how I would like the final 8-9 to round out (to me I thnk either Plein or Sanders and Vernon are most likely to be those decommits):

3 linemen (Bunche, White, Massie and Wheeler being top of the list)

Seminole Trio (this would be a huge get as Dubose is the one I am most worried about)

Orson Charles - Though a little light still, I would love to see him step up to be the next great Cane TE in 10' (Marve needs to recruit this boy hard so talks of transfers I hope aren't true)

Sheldon Richardson - This is the huge national get I hope is the present under our orange and green tree.

One more corner or Jon Bostic - Whether its the TX guy from rivals or maybe a local guy like Carter from Ely (though I don't think he comes here)

[DATcane]

yo

[hurriphin]

andre "double back-flip" debose

[MWD]

Santana Moss

[orange 'n green in the vein]

end