< p class= "d3-o-media-object d3-o-media-object-- upright nfl-o-media-object-- gamer nfl-o-media-player" >< p course =" nfl-o-media-player nfl-o-media-player __ video "id= "videoPlayer-cbed1d22-a0be-4052-bfd7-29ce1f3840be" data-require="modules/rnMediaPlayer" data-is-dynamic-url=" False" data-id=" 16b74328-0dba-4fc7-9bd8-404740cd0197" data-slug=" d-ernest-johnson-s-best-plays-from-168-yard-game-week-7" data-campaignid ="" data-is-league-video=" False "data-is-embed= "True" >'s life once sent him to the deck of a commercial angling boat. On Thursday, it guided him to the most effective evening of his professional football occupation.

Johnson received his first job NFL begin on Thursday evening not always on merit, yet out of requirement, replacing both and also on a brief week for the Browns.

The former USF and Partnership of American Football celebrity looked like he would certainly invested a lot of his Sundays on the sideline and also was ready to allow it tear. He did that and also more, acquiring 146 yards and scoring a touchdown on 22 lugs, powering Cleveland to a win the Browns desperately needed.

He even caught the attention of an NBA super star.

Johnson was just one of numerous Browns called into action as a result of an extensive injury record that knocked senseless starting quarterback, right deal with and a handful of others. without much of a difference stylishly Thursday evening. It certainly aided that Johnson picked up right where Chubb and also Quest left off.

" We got a team win. I can distinguish a lot of people, yet D'Ernest Johnson to me is a warrior and also a wonderful colleague," Browns instructor Kevin Stefanski claimed after the game. "What he has hammered out in his occupation and afterwards to go have a night like that and also to end it how he did on that particular this down, I assumed was simply impressive."

Johnson can give thanks to the brief AAF for offering him his best and also most likely final chance of making something of a job out of pro football. He was a standout runner for the organization's Orlando Apollos, which additionally included gamers (Garrett Gilbert, Ishmael Hyman) that received opportunities with NFL teams and managed to remain as back-ups or technique squad members for at least several of the last few seasons.

Johnson obtained an offseason welcome to Cleveland in 2019 and joined the running backs room, unexpected adequate folks in Berea throughout the preseason to earn a position on the group that season. He's since worked in the shadows, appearing only periodically to contribute in little ruptureds. Thursday night was his most full performance since his days at USF-- one he 'd been pursuing for many years.

" No, I never ever shed rely on the procedure," Johnson claimed. "Originating from a fishing watercraft, I always imagined playing in the NFL. Even when playing in the AAF, I always desired for playing here in the organization. Being able to get on this team is a true blessing. It is always a dream happened to be able to be here. To be able start and also appear here as well as assist the group win, that is the most effective sensation."

Johnson definitely assisted the Browns win, as did the offensive linemen widening running lanes for him. Johnson isn't near the fastest jogger when it pertains to top speed, however his rascality as well as one-cut ruptured fit well in Cleveland's zone plan. It functioned better than the majority of any individual could envision on Thursday night, gaining the best single-game hurrying quality for a running back this period,.

" It felt great understanding that everybody relied on me," Johnson stated. "Appearing right here and getting a win for the team implies a whole lot. Being able to appear below and also deal with hard simply go obtain this success suggests a whole lot."

FirstEnergy Stadium is perched along Lake Erie, yet it's far from the fishing watercrafts Johnson knew simply a couple of years earlier. He'll always remember what dropped there-- and how he really felt aiding his team to victory.