C. J. Gardner-Johnson Explained

C. J. Gardner-Johnson
Current Team:Philadelphia Eagles
Number:8
Position:Safety
Birth Date:20 December 1997
Birth Place:Cocoa, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:208
High School:Cocoa
College:Florida (2016–2018)
Draftyear:2019
Draftround:4
Draftpick:105
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:245
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:4
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue4:1
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:39
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Statvalue6:13
Pfr:GardCh00

Chauncey "C.J." Gardner-Johnson (born December 20, 1997)[1] is an American football safety for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has also played for the Detroit Lions.

Name changes

Gardner-Johnson was known as Chauncey Gardner Jr. prior to his junior year at Florida. On December 31, 2017, he announced he changed his last name to Gardner-Johnson in honor of his stepfather, Brian Johnson.[2] Gardner-Johnson's biological father, Chauncey Gardner Sr., has been a part of his life, but Johnson had raised Gardner-Johnson from the time he was a toddler until he went off to college.

In both 2020 and 2023, Gardner-Johnson posted his intention to legally change his name to Ceedy Duce on Instagram. Despite this, he has yet to formally change his name to Ceedy Duce. In 2020, he stated "Officially changing my name to Ceedy Duce. No more Chauncey or C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Time to pave a way for my own imagine [sic] that I want no more judgement, thoughts on me, because you really don't know me, until you understand me as a person I won't speak unless spoken to."[3] In 2023, he said "Court doucments [sic] otw (on the way). It's a different person. I got an alter ego. I got like two different people living in me, football and life. Life, I’m just chilling. Football, that’s a whole different person. People call me Ceedy on the football field or Ducey. In life, they call me C.J. or Chauncey".[4]

College career

As a true freshman at Florida, Gardner-Johnson appeared in all 14 games, making starts in the final seven games of the season. During the 2017 Outback Bowl, Gardner-Johnson had two tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown against Iowa.[5] He was named the MVP of the Outback Bowl.[6] [7] During his sophomore season, Gardner-Johnson started in all 11 games. Before his junior season, Gardner-Johnson was moved to the nickelback position.[8] On November 26, 2018, Gardner-Johnson announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL draft.[9]

Professional career

New Orleans Saints

2019

Gardner-Johnson was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.[10] In a Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving Day, Gardner-Johnson recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Matt Ryan in the 26–18 win.[11] In Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, Gardner-Johnson recorded eight tackles and forced a fumble on wide receiver Kalif Raymond which he recovered during the 38–28 win.[12] In the 2019 season, Gardner-Johnson finished with 42 total tackles, one interception, eight passes defended, and one forced fumble.[13] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[14]

2020

On October 11, 2020, Gardner-Johnson was punched by teammate Michael Thomas during practice. This led to Thomas being benched for that week's game.[15] On November 1, 2020, in a 26–23 victory over the Chicago Bears, Gardner-Johnson was sucker-punched by Bears' wide receiver Javon Wims which led to a scuffle between both teams in the third quarter. Wims ran up to an unsuspecting Gardner-Johnson, who had his back turned and punched him in the helmet. When Gardner-Johnson did not react, Wims punched him again. Earlier broadcast showed Gardner-Johnson ripping off Wims' mouthguard away from Wims. Despite Wims claiming Gardner-Johnson spit on him, no evidence supported this claim.[16] Gardner-Johnson later denied that he spit on Wims.[17] The incident led to Wims being ejected from the game and suspended for two games by the NFL the next day.[18] [19] Gardner-Johnson was also fined $5,128 for his actions with Wims.[20]

In Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, Gardner-Johnson recorded his first career sack on quarterback Nick Mullens during the 27–13 win.[21] [22] In Week 12 against the Denver Broncos, Gardner-Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by wide receiver Kendall Hinton during the 31–3 win.[23] Gardner-Johnson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Saints on December 30, 2020,[24] and activated on January 8, 2021.[25] In the 2020 season, Gardner-Johnson finished with one sack, 66 total tackles, one interception, and 13 passes defended.[26]

On January 10, 2021, in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Chicago Bears, Gardner-Johnson was involved in a scuffle with another Bears receiver, Anthony Miller. Miller was ejected for the fight while they both received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.[27] [28]

2021

Gardner-Johnson entered 2021 as a starting safety. He started seven games before being placed on injured reserve on November 13.[29] He was activated on December 11.[30] In a game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 19, 2021, Gardner-Johnson intercepted Tom Brady's pass intended for Scotty Miller late in the game to close out the 9–0 shutout victory.[31] He finished the 2021 season with two sacks, 46 total tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defended.[32]

Philadelphia Eagles

On August 30, 2022, the Saints traded Gardner-Johnson along with a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fifth-round pick and the lower of their two sixth-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft.[33] He started the first 11 games before suffering a lacerated kidney in Week 12.[34] [35] He was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2022, leading the league in interceptions.[36] [37] He was activated from injured reserve on January 7, 2023.[38] He finished the 2022 season with one sack, 67 total tackles (61 solo), six interceptions, and eight passes defended.[39] Gardner-Johnson helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII. In the Super Bowl, Gardner-Johnson recorded four tackles in the Eagles 38–35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[40]

Detroit Lions

On March 20, 2023, the Detroit Lions signed Gardner-Johnson to a one-year, $8 million contract.[41]

Gardner-Johnson suffered a non-contact leg injury during the start of Lions training camp on July 23, 2023. Despite fears of a potentially season-ending ligament injury, it was announced the next day after an MRI that Gardner-Johnson avoided structural damage and was "day-to-day" in his recovery.[42] In Week 2, he suffered a torn pectoral and was placed on injured reserve on September 19, 2023.[43]

On December 14, 2023, Gardner-Johnson was medically cleared to return to the field.[44] He was activated on January 6, 2024.[45]

Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)

On March 14, 2024, Gardner-Johnson signed a three-year contract to return to the Eagles.[46]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high
YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
NO16 7 49 38 11 0.0 8 1 28 28 28 0 1 1 0
NO15 13 66 52 14 1.0 13 1 3 3 3 0 0 0 0
NO12 11 46 32 14 2.0 7 3 45 15 26 0 0 0 0
PHI12 12 67 61 6 1.0 8 6 54 9 25 0 0 0 0
DET3 2 17 16 1 0.0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 58 45 245 199 46 4.0 39 12 130 10.8 28 0 1 1 0

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
NO1 1 3 2 1 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NO2 2 10 7 3 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PHI3 3 12 7 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DET2 1 8 5 3 0.0 0 1 12 12 12 0 0 0 0
Career 8 7 33 21 12 0.0 3 1 12 12 12 0 0 0 0

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Abolverdi . Zach . March 13, 2018 . New name, same position for Florida DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180314035705/https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-chauncey-gardner-johnson-name-change . March 14, 2018 . May 3, 2018 . SEC Country . Wayback Machine.
  2. Web site: Gators DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson honors stepfather with name change . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330152909/https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/sports/2018/10/04/gators-db-chauncey-gardner-johnson-honors-stepfather-with-name-change- . March 30, 2023 . March 30, 2023 . www.mynews13.com . en.
  3. Web site: Polacek . Scott . August 9, 2020 . Saints' Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Announces He's Changed His Name to Ceedy Duce . December 27, 2023 . BleacherReport.com.
  4. Web site: Birkett . Dave . October 27, 2023 . Detroit Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson says he's officially changing his name to Ceedy Duce . November 5, 2023 . USAToday.com.
  5. Web site: Outback Bowl – Florida vs Iowa Box Score, January 2, 2017 . March 26, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en . October 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018160619/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2017-01-02-iowa.html . live .
  6. Web site: Hall of Fame Bowl (1986–1994), Outback Bowl (1995–2021), and ReliaQuest Bowl . March 26, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929174931/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/bowls/outback-bowl.html . live .
  7. Web site: January 2, 2017 . Gardner MVP as Florida wins Outback Bowl . January 5, 2020 . Florida Today . Former Cocoa High star Chauncey Gardner Jr., returned one of his two fourth-quarter interceptions 58 yards for a touchdown . Associated Press . September 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200926130047/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/sports/college/university-florida/2017/01/02/cocoas-gardner-sparks-florida-outback-bowl/96089412/ . live .
  8. Web site: New position, same swagger for Florida's Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Young, Ryan. April 11, 2018. May 3, 2018. SEC Country. May 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180504162223/https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-gators-football-chauncey-gardner-johnson-new-position. live.
  9. Web site: Florida Gators' Chauncey Gardner-Johnson declares for NFL draft. Baker, Matt. November 26, 2018. January 12, 2019. Tampa Bay Times. January 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232154/https://www.tampabay.com/sports/florida-gators/2018/11/26/florida-gators-chauncey-gardner-johnson-declares-for-nfl-draft/. live.
  10. Web site: April 27, 2019 . Saints trade up in Round 4 to acquire Chauncey Gardner-Johnson . March 26, 2023 . New Orleans Saints . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217183342/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-trade-up-in-round-4-to-acquire-chauncey-gardner-johnson . live .
  11. Web site: November 28, 2019 . Saints beat Falcons to clinch third straight NFC South title . November 28, 2019 . ESPN.com . Associated Press . November 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191129055649/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128022 . live .
  12. Web site: December 22, 2019 . Saints chasing NFC's top seed rally to beat Titans 38–28 . December 22, 2019 . ESPN.com . Associated Press . December 23, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191223145050/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127935 . live .
  13. Web site: C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2019 Game Log . March 26, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326190522/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GardCh00/gamelog/2019/ . live .
  14. Web site: 2019 NFL All-Rookie Team . March 26, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . November 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221123025611/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2019.htm . live .
  15. Web site: Barna . Daniel . October 11, 2020 . Saints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas Benched After Physical Altercation With Teammates . October 14, 2020 . Complex . October 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201012021109/https://www.complex.com/sports/2020/10/michael-thomas-benched-physical-altercation-teammates . live .
  16. Web site: Goldberg . Rob . November 2, 2020 . Report: Javon Wims Told Bears That Gardner-Johnson Spit on Him Before Punches . November 3, 2020 . Bleacher Report . en . November 2, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201102195647/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2916196-report-javon-wims-told-bears-that-gardner-johnson-spit-on-him-before-punches . live .
  17. Web site: Owens . Jason . November 2, 2020 . Bears' Javon Wims suspended 2 games for punch, C.J. Gardner-Johnson denies he spit on him . November 3, 2020 . Yahoo! Sports . November 2, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201102220037/https://sports.yahoo.com/cj-gardner-johnson-denies-that-he-spit-on-javon-wims-before-saints-bears-melee-204019585.html . live .
  18. Web site: Patra . Kevin . November 2, 2020 . Bears WR Javon Wims suspended two games for punching Saints DB . November 3, 2020 . NFL.com . November 2, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201102214032/https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-wr-javon-wims-suspended-two-games-for-punching-saints-db . live .
  19. Web site: Triplett . Mike . NFL suspends Wims; Saints DB denies spitting . ESPN.com . November 3, 2020 . en . November 2, 2020 . November 2, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201102232029/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30244703/new-orleans-saints-db-cj-gardner-johnson-denies-report-spit-bears-wr-javon-wims . live .
  20. Web site: Williams . Charean . Chauncey Gardner-Johnson fined $5,128 for tiff with Javon Wims . ProFootballTalk . November 8, 2020 . November 7, 2020 . November 7, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201107212446/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/07/chauncey-gardner-johnson-fined-5128-for-tiff-with-javon-wims/ . live .
  21. Web site: Sigler . John . C.J. Gardner-Johnson had the fastest sack in the NFL in Week 10 . Saints Wire . November 20, 2020 . November 19, 2020 . November 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201119210343/https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/19/saints-vs-49ers-c-j-gardner-johnson-stats-zebtra-technology/ . live .
  22. Web site: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – November 15th, 2020 . November 18, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . November 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201117050238/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011150nor.htm . live .
  23. Web site: New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – November 29th, 2020 . December 1, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . December 3, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201203170733/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011290den.htm . live .
  24. Web site: Triplett . Mike . December 30, 2020 . Saints safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson placed on reserve/COVID-19 list . February 11, 2021 . ESPN.com . January 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210112142451/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30626105/saints-safety-cj-gardner-johnson-placed-reserve-covid-19-list . live .
  25. Web site: Simmons . Myles . January 8, 2021 . Saints activate C.J. Gardner-Johnson off COVID-19 list . February 11, 2021 . NBCSports.com . January 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210125014621/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/01/08/saints-activate-c-j-gardner-johnson-off-covid-19-list/ . live .
  26. Web site: C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2020 Game Log . March 26, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326190414/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GardCh00/gamelog/2020/ . live .
  27. Web site: Wild Card – Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – January 10th, 2021 . November 11, 2022 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . January 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210108043650/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101100nor.htm . live .
  28. Web site: Barbieri . Alyssa . January 16, 2021 . Anthony Miller fined for throwing punch at CJ Gardner-Johnson in wild-card game . March 26, 2023 . Bears Wire . en-US . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326190020/https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2021/01/16/chicago-bears-anthony-miller-cj-gardner-johnson-fined-wild-card-game/ . live .
  29. Web site: Jackson . Ross . November 13, 2021 . New Orleans Saints DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson heads to injured reserve, creating sizable hole on defense . November 11, 2022 . CanalStreetChronicles.com . November 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221111060203/https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2021/11/13/22780547/new-orleans-saints-db-cj-gardner-johnson-headed-injured-reserve-chauncey-ceedy-duce . live .
  30. Web site: Sigler . John . December 9, 2021 . C.J. Gardner-Johnson designated to return from Saints injured reserve . November 11, 2022 . USA Today . November 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221111060202/https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/09/saints-cj-gardner-johnson-return-injured-reserve/ . live .
  31. Web site: December 20, 2021 . Saints frustrate Brady again, beat SB champ Buccaneers 9–0. . March 26, 2023 . ESPN.com . Associated Press . August 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807024728/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401326551 . live .
  32. Web site: C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2021 Game Log . March 26, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326185714/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GardCh00/gamelog/2021/ . live .
  33. Web site: philadelphiaeagles.com. Eagles agree to acquire S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson from Saints. August 30, 2022. August 30, 2022. Dave. Spadaro. August 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220830180342/https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-agree-to-acquire-chauncey-gardner-johnson-from-saints. live.
  34. Web site: Smith . E. J. . November 29, 2022 . Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has a lacerated kidney, but could still return this season . March 26, 2023 . Inquirer.com . en . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326185251/https://www.inquirer.com/news/eagles-cj-gardner-johnson-lacerated-kidney-injury-20221129.html . live .
  35. Web site: C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2022 Game Log . March 26, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326185207/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GardCh00/gamelog/2022/ . live .
  36. Web site: Clapp . Matt . March 20, 2023 . NFL interceptions leader signs with new team . March 26, 2023 . The Comeback . en-US . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326185043/https://thecomeback.com/nfl/cj-gardner-johnson-detroit-lions.html . live .
  37. Web site: Gowton . Brandon Lee . December 3, 2022 . Eagles activate Jordan Davis, place CJGJ on injured reserve . December 5, 2022 . Bleeding Green Nation . December 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205131933/https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2022/12/3/23491688/eagles-news-jordan-davis-cjgj-injury-injured-reserve-titans-games-activate-chauncey-gardner-johnson . live .
  38. Web site: Reuben . Frank . January 7, 2023 . Eagles activate Gardner-Johnson in flurry of roster moves . March 26, 2023 . RSN . en . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326184949/https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/eagles-activate-cj-gardner-johnson-flurry-roster-moves . live .
  39. Web site: C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2022 Game Log . March 26, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326185207/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GardCh00/gamelog/2022/ . live .
  40. Web site: Super Bowl LVII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 12th, 2023 . March 26, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . February 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226043403/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202302120phi.htm . live .
  41. Web site: March 20, 2023 . Lions sign unrestricted free agent DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson . March 20, 2023 . DetroitLions.com . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320164431/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-unrestricted-free-agent-db-c-j-gardner-johnson . live .
  42. Web site: Risdon . Jeff . July 24, 2023 . Lions get very good news on C.J. Gardner-Johnson's injury . July 24, 2023 . Lions Wire. USA Today.
  43. Web site: Woodyard . Eric . September 19, 2023 . Lions place C.J. Gardner-Johnson, James Houston on IR . November 5, 2023 . ESPN.com.
  44. Web site: Woodyard . Eric . December 14, 2023 . 'Mutant genes': Lions' Gardner-Johnson cleared . December 18, 2023 . ESPN.com . en.
  45. Web site: Reisman . Jeremy . 2024-01-06 . Lions activate C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Alim McNeill; add 2 from practice squad . 2024-07-13 . Pride Of Detroit . en.
  46. Web site: McPherson . Chris . March 14, 2024 . Eagles agree to terms with C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a 3-year contract . March 14, 2024 . PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

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