Patience paying off for Johnson
MOTHER NATURE SHOWS HER UGLY SIDE IN WINNIPEG
— Four-year-old Delano Johnson Jr. saw two amazing things this week.
First, his father, Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive end Delano Johnson, took him to see Niagara Falls for his fourth birthday. Then three days later, the kid got see Dad suit up for the first time as a Ticat.
“I was hoping I was going to get to play in a home game for my first one so he could see me in person, but TV is fine,” Johnson said. “He has a jersey and everything.”
Johnson Sr. made his Hamilton debut on Wednesday in a Canadian Football League contest against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — though there were days when he wasn’t sure he’d get the chance. Released in June of 2015 by the Toronto Argonauts after playing in 12 games over two seasons, Johnson was out of football for all of last season.
“Getting cut is on my mind every day. Getting cut and having to go home and just sit on the couch for months, it was hard,” Johnson said. “Every time I go out, I feel like I have to make the team.”
Signed by the Ticats last April, Johnson was in the midst an excellent training camp when he bumped quarterback Jacory Harris as he tried to make a throw. There was a little pushing and shoving but things really went haywire when Jeremiah Masoli stepped in, encouraging Johnson to calm down.
But Johnson wasn’t having it and did something unusual — he shoved Masoli.
A massive melee ensued with players from both sides of the ball involved and Johnson could have been sent home on the spot. But he was contrite, apologizing immediately to head coach Kent Austin and his teammates.
“That was no big deal. Delano is a high energy guy who plays with emotion but I’d much rather have to dial a guy down then to have to dial him up,” Austin said. “He has the respect of the players.”
A native of Baltimore, Johnson owns a barbershop called Finao Love, which stands for “Failure Is Not An Option, Living Our Vision Every Day.” His mother died his freshman year in college and Johnson used the phrase to deal with the anger and depression that followed.
“It’s what’s carried me through life,’’ said Johnson. “It’s not just a saying, you’ve got to believe in it and put your heart into it.”
Johnson has been involved in mentoring inner city youth back in Baltimore and has brought his son to Hamilton for the summer so the two can spend as much time together as possible.
“My son is my motivation,” he said. “And he’s pretty excited. He loves football, just like me.”