C.J. Gardner-Johnson had a standout performance in Sunday's 24-20 comeback win over the Giants — just his second game in Chicago after signing with the Bears Oct. 29. Learn more about the veteran defensive back as he talks with ChicagoBears.com about his favorite Dennis Allen memory, the toughest matchups of his NFL career, why he'd pick DBs coach Al Harris to be stuck in space with him and more.
What was your welcome to the NFL moment?
My stuff got thrown in a cold tub for not having snacks my rookie year. That's a heartbreaking story, bro. D.J. Swearinger, Janoris Jenkins, Malcolm Jenkins — worst day of my life. They put my pads in the cold tub.
Who were you most excited to team up with in Chicago when you signed here?
Ben, because me and Ben have been to an NFC Championship together, and we know what it feels like. So just having a coach who can preach it and a player that can relay the experience, that was with him, just giving them nuances and things like that. And also, T.J. Edwards, because me and him have been in the Super Bowl together.
What's your favorite Dennis Allen memory?
When I first met him, he called me Hollywood, because he saw my car. He said, 'Hollywood. You didn't even make a play yet.' It was like a reality check — and that's one of my favorite moments because as a young guy, if you don't get what he's saying, you're not gonna understand it. He wasn't saying Hollywood because I was flashy. He was just like, 'you're trying to keep up with the Kardashians in this situation, you just got here.'
Who were your athlete idols growing up?
Tyrann Mathieu. Joe Haden. Sean Taylor. Ed Reed. All DBs — Ryan Clark, all them. Troy Polamalu.
What has been the toughest matchup of your career?
Chris Godwin. He's a savvy vet. Saquon Barkley — he's different.
Most memorable NFL moment?
Getting drafted. People say, 'the Super Bowl was a great moment.' And yes, it is. But getting drafted was when I could actually start my adulthood. You don't become an adult until you understand how to pay your own mortgage, your own bills, so being put in an adulthood situation of getting drafted, understanding, I got to grow up fast. Winning the Super Bowl for me was another great moment, but it was also like, that's just a scratch of the surface of what I could be.
Do you have any pregame rituals or traditions?
This may sound crazy, but I sit upside down for about 20 minutes, with my legs in the air. It's for the blood flow. It helps for quick recovery, and keeps the nervousness down. Like, it's funny. Sitting upside down makes my butterflies go to my head, and I burp it out.
Who inspires you the most?
My grandmother. She raised me my whole life, and she always installed in me to have a routine. Doesn't matter if you're having a positive day, have your routine. I see it like this because every motivated speaker has a routine. Every doctor has a routine. So I feel like my grandmother just inspired me to have a routine and be positive on life and be able to communicate.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I'm very tech savvy. I've built my own 5090 computer. I'm a gamer. That's my hidden talent.
What's your go to game?
Right now, Road to Glory Dynasty mode (NCAA Football), because I like being a simulated coach.
What's at the top of your bucket list?
Hit a lottery ticket for a billion dollars. That's a great bucket list item. And then another one is, probably go see the Titanic, like, take a scuba trip to see the Titanic. Or, I want to be the first NFL player to go up to space. Peanut Tillman was the first NFL player to be an FBI agent, so I want to know if I could be an astronaut.
Who would be the best person on the team to be stuck in space with?
Um, shoot. You can't go with a big boy, because they're too big. Too much space. Hm, who would I be stuck in space with — fighting aliens, moon rocks?
[Long pause]
Hm, that's a good one. I'll take KB (Kevin Byard III) with me. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. I'll take Coach Al (Harris), because Al isn't scared of anything. Coach Al, man.
