Less than a week after signing with the Bears Oct. 29, defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson started making an indelible impact both inside Halas Hall and around the Chicagoland area.
Playing his first game for the Bears Nov. 2 in Cincinnati, the seventh-year veteran helped the team by recording a third-down sack and contributing six tackles in a thrilling 47-42 victory over the Bengals.
But it was two days after his debut when he provided his most valuable contribution of the week.
On Nov. 4, Gardner-Johnson, alongside cornerback Nahshon Wright, attended his first community event with the Bears — a BAM (Becoming a Man) circle with students at Chicago Vocational Career Academy to connect, problem-solve and explore core values with students. The Bears have a longstanding partnership with the BAM and WOW (Working on Womanhood) programs at Youth Guidance, which is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs and capacity-building initiatives that directly serve 20,000 youth.
"I saw myself in those kids," Gardner-Johnson said of his visit. "I was once looking for help and got it, so now why not give the guidance to people who need it as well? It keeps your mind positive, because if you keep it on negative stuff, you are not gonna grow. So it is about positivity, uplifting and empowering."
Gardner-Johnson felt such a strong connection to that group of young men at Chicago Urban Prep that through his foundation that he started this year, Ceedy Cares, he purchased 17 tickets for the entire BAM circle to attend the Bears' win over the Giants Nov. 9. Over the past several weeks, Gardner-Johnson has continued building on that support, including dedicating his My Cause My Cleats support to Youth Guidance, creating a Tackling Chapters initiative to provide books for local schools and making more visits to BAM circles throughout the city.
That hands-on support culminated in Ceedy Cares hosting a fundraising gala for the Youth Guidance programs Monday on the city's West Side. Bears staff, community members and a variety of schools that are impacted by BAM and WOW were among those in attendance.
"The youth is greatly impacted by music, influencers, celebrities, so I want to get them a different light, and bring them a different type of attention," Gardner-Johnson said. "We play for one of the most historic franchises in America and it is kind of an understatement to people. Kids need to see that they have got another opportunity besides just — and I say this with all respect — street life, the gun violence, the gang violence.
"So we are trying to bring them something different, because if I can make it out of a place that is not well-populated with crazy education or people that can help get you to the next level, anyone can. Being at this level and giving back really means more, because I can spread that light to people that need it."
Gardner-Johnson was supported by a plethora of his new Bears family members, including Wright, President & CEO Kevin Warren, special advisor to the President/CEO & chief administrative officer Ted Crews, executive vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion & chief impact officer Tanesha Wade, director of equipment Tony Medlin, director of player engagement Erika Marmolejo and player engagement coordinator Brice McAllister, among others.
"It has been a blessing to have Ceedy as a member of the Chicago Bears," Warren said. "To watch the way that he just showed up in Chicago and got integrated right away, embracing these young kids across the city, especially from BAM and WOW, and really giving of himself, talking about the importance of education, hard work, strong belief, he has truly been a blessing not only to Chicago, but to our organization.
"It was important for myself, for Ted Crews, other members of the organization to be here tonight — to let Ceedy know how much we support him, we appreciate him, we love him and we want to continue to encourage him to be the best version of himself."
For the entire evening, Gardner-Johnson had Wright by his side. The event was impactful for both defensive backs, who are in their first seasons in Chicago.
From riding down to the gala with Gardner-Johnson to hearing his words of encouragement for the Youth Guidance program, Monday felt like a full-circle moment for Wright.
"A lot of people do not know this but back in 2019, Ceedy actually reached out to my younger brother — because we were on the Last Chance U show — and gave us encouraging words," Wright shared, "and just let us know that we can be in the NFL. So when he got here, it was natural for me to gravitate towards him. And when he told me about the gala, it was a no-brainer for me to be there for him and for those kids.
"I had been with him to a BAM group and I think it was just important for those kids to see us. So it just meant a lot to support him, because he has been supporting me since 2019, and did not even necessarily know me, so it just was important for me to give back to him and in doing so, be there for those kids."
Much like Gardner-Johnson, Wright said the kids in that BAM circle "reminded me of my younger self" and felt instantly connected to the group, remembering what it felt like "to be young in society and not having all the answers, not having the central direction."
To see how Gardner-Johnson turned that first visit into consistent support and new opportunities for the Youth Guidance programs in such a short amount of time is a source of inspiration for Wright.
"Man, that is super rare, just because he came in midseason, having to learn the playbook and get ready to play," Wright said. "And then, even after all that, still wanting to be in the community and impact those kids and just be a helping hand. I think it is huge that he was able to come in when he did, lock in on the playbook and give back to the community.
"It is rare you run into people like him."
