C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Chicago Bears’ new safety, has gone through a White Sox-like year — on and off the field. Gardner-Johnson was traded by the Philadelphia Eagles to the Houston Texans. He encountered the most unforeseen hardship when the Texans cut him. Throughout his journey, he has displayed extraordinary tenacity and an unwavering dedication to both his team and family. He credits all of these traits to his mother, Delatron Johnson.
His mother, Delatron Johnson, has been a wellspring of strength for her son, Gardner-Johnson. Now, in this turbulent moment, she is fearing for his safety to the core. She prayed passionately for him, crying out, “God give him grace!” She wanted him to find the grounding it took to ride the waves of glory and despair that come with a life in pro football. Her influence has deeply impacted Gardner-Johnson’s character. That very condition has shaped his approach to protectiveness, one which strikes a chord with everyone who knows him well.
Perhaps more importantly, Gardner-Johnson had an enormous impact on the Bears’ defensive culture. Further proving his credentials, he played more than 96% of defensive snaps. All of this tremendous production can be attributed to his play at safety for Houston earlier this season. His aggressive style was on full display when he forced a fumble. He even ranked fourth on the team with four quarterback hits. Despite these contributions, the Texans’ decision to cut him came as a shock to many—including Gardner-Johnson himself.
“I peep the temperature of the room everywhere I’ve been,” Gardner-Johnson noted, reflecting on how different teams treat players based on performance. “You should have that same treatment from the team when that person’s doing good or when that person’s mentally struggling. I think out here it’s felt like the treatment’s been a wash no matter whether you’re succeeding or failing.”
Gardner-Johnson’s journey would see another twist as the calendar flipped to October. All told, during this period, he was essentially living half the time in his house in Orlando, Florida, and half at his training center in Texas. The possibility of not knowing his future, which he described as “the biggest mental f
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