As a child and teenager Jakob Johnson was a sporty all-rounder: football, basketball, handball, wrestling, DLRG badges - he tried a lot. That he then came to American Football in 2007, was partly because Johnson had previously stopped football. In fact, he had to stop.
To impressive thighs
Because at his club, the TSV Sielmingen in Filderstadt, they could in the D-youth simply no more find matching trousers in the Johnson's impressive thighs fit. They searched, they improvised, but they were unsuccessful. "At that time there was no size L for eleven- or twelve-year-olds, which always looked to me as if I were wearing underpants - and at some point that was too stupid for me." Johnson, 24, tells the SPIEGEL in the cabin of the NFL's New England Patriots top team with a big smile.
There isser: @JohnsonJakob in action against the jets! #GoPats #ranNFL pic.twitter.com/BSWniBy2x4
- Patriots Germany (@patsdeutsch) September 22, 2019He is currently in a good mood anyway. For the fullback has an extremely successful year behind him, was from the hobby player in the German Football League for professional champion, New England. This development was not even expected 12 months ago. If you want to make it into the NFL, you have to go to the USA. Johnson flew back to Stuttgart in the summer of 2018 - disappointed and frustrated. His dream of big football, that was for him, was over.
Unsuccessful at college
For four years he had been playing for the college team of the University of Tennessee, hoping to make it through this showcase to the NFL. That no club interested him in the end, but he was not surprised. Of his four years, he was three on the pitch as a tight end - but could contribute almost nothing to the offensive: twelve games, three trapped passes, 23 yards gain in space. So much others go through with a single action. "Of course, I did not expect to be on the radar with anyone," says Johnson.
Why it did not work out in college, he can not really explain to this day. "Probably," Johnson said, "I was not far enough mentally yet, made a few mistakes, did not have the right attitude." That is different now. When patriots coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels were approached on Johnson, they praised above all its "great attitude." McDaniels described Johnson as a "tough guy" who "did all we asked him to do, that's all we can do."
Per program in the NFL
In the past few days, the Boston media have reported a lot about this Johnson. About having a German mother and an American father - and about his unusual way. Johnson joined the Patriots through the International Player Pathway Program (IPP). Launched two years ago, this concept will allow players from abroad to prove themselves under NFL conditions. Johnson calls the IPP "the most direct path for foreign players into the NFL, apart from college."
This path led him through a rehearsal in London to a three-month training camp in Florida. Johnson was one of seven players tested by NFL trainers at the famous IMG Academy in Bradenton daily for hours on posture, heart and brain. Four signed April NFL contracts - including Johnson.
A week ago, when he wore the # 47 Patriots jersey for the first time at New England's 30:14 home win against the New York Jets, it was a special moment not only for him, but for the IPP architects as well. In the past few years, none of their players (including Moritz Böhringer) had made it into an NFL squad or practice squad. All trained with a special status that enabled them to participate in the daily sessions while eliminating competitive bets.
Johnson is now the first IPP professional to break three walls. First, he made it to the Patriots Practice Squad, then the 53-game squad and finally even on the football field. And more will follow. Because New England's fullback, James Develin, is canceled due to a neck injury at least until mid-November.
