Jakob Johnson has suffered five releases since first signing with the New York Giants. That doesn’t change his positive attitude. The 29-year-old has understood what really matters in football.
Kevin Obermaier reports from the New York Giants
“Let’s go!”
Jakob Johnson takes the podium at the press conference before the NFL Munich Game 2024 (on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in ran-Liveticker) with a spring in his step, with a broad grin.
Honestly happy.
As if he had spent the last eleven weeks on cloud nine. As if the deep valleys didn’t exist: only twelve snaps, five dismissals. The last one just last weekend.
NFL Munich Game 2024
The fact that Johnson is now in Munich, as a player for the New York Giants, is a small football miracle given his commute between the practice squad, the field and unemployment.
Also that the Stuttgart native didn’t lose his good mood and his positive attitude despite the extreme ups and downs even by NFL standards.
Fullback Johnson – der ultimative Teamplayer
Why hasn’t the smile long since given way to a frugal facial expression – typical for Swabians?
Maybe because Johnson knew what was coming to him: “I was definitely told that things could go up and down a few times this year,” the 29-year-old revealed on “ntv” a few weeks ago.
Maybe because he is simply a positive person and knows where he comes from.
But definitely because he understood what was important in football. What football, this wonderful game with a strangely shaped ball, really means: team. Team. Team.
An understanding that the model professional also came to through his position: “[Fullback] is the ultimate team position in the ultimate team sport. Being a fullback means playing unselfishly, being a good teammate. That’s what a fullback is all about – but also what football in general is about.”
The we is important, decides, wins. Not the I.
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Anyone who understands this will be able to cope with personal fates more easily. Can, like Johnson, see football for what it is – even in the tough business called NFL, in which humanity is often neglected – at the end of the day: “No stress, just a game.”
A game best experienced together. Johnson secured 52 tickets for friends and family. To share this special moment and not just have it for yourself.
And the moment is always special: “I grew up here, I started playing football here. It’s an honor to be part of a team that plays a game here.”
Giants coach Daboll praises Johnson
Head coach Brian Daboll could not guarantee the German that he would be part of the team that steps onto the freshly laid turf of the Allianz Arena on Sunday.
But: “We have a good relationship with Jakob. He has his role with us. He is a smart, tough player. He is a good part of our team.”
Just a team player.
Who is already writing a bit of German football history: Johnson is the third German, after Aaron Donkor in 2022 with the Seattle Seahawks and Marcel Dabo in 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts, who is under contract with a team that plays an NFL game in Germany.
He could become the first German to take the field at an NFL game in Germany.
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Jacob Johnson’s humble wish
But Johnson’s wish for Sunday – in keeping with the team spirit – is different, as he is ran-Demand revealed: “The reason we’re here is to win. At the end of the day, it’s a business trip. For me personally, it’s a cool, emotional occasion, but the main thing is winning.”
With him or without him.
The German NFL professional David Bada, currently with the Detroit Lions, wants to… ran-Interview for his friend “JJ” of course more: “It would be unbelievable if a German NFL player caught a touchdown on German soil.”
It would be another football miracle, and then no longer a small one.
Johnson will certainly not lose his positive thinking and his broad smile even without a touchdown, effort or victory.
He understands football far too well for that.
