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C. J. Gardner-Johnson

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C. J. Gardner-Johnson
refer to caption
Gardner-Johnson with the Eagles in 2022
No. 8 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1997-12-20) December 20, 1997 (age 26)
Cocoa, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Cocoa
College:Florida (2016–2018)
NFL draft:2019 / round: 4 / pick: 105
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2024
Total tackles:274
Sacks:4.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:44
Interceptions:13
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Chauncey "C.J." Gardner-Johnson (born December 20, 1997)[1] is an American professional 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

[edit]

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][3] 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.[1]

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."[4] 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".[5]

College career

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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.[6] He was named the MVP of the Outback Bowl.[7][3] 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

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+7⁄8 in
(1.80 m) 		210 lb
(95 kg) 		30+7⁄8 in
(0.78 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.48 s 1.58 s 2.62 s 4.20 s 7.03 s 37.0 in
(0.94 m)		 10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		 17 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[10][11]

New Orleans Saints

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2019

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Gardner-Johnson was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] In the 2019 season, Gardner-Johnson finished with 42 total tackles, one interception, eight passes defended, and one forced fumble.[15] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[16]

2020

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Gardner-Johnson in 2021

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.[17] 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.[18] Gardner-Johnson later denied that he spit on Wims.[19] The incident led to Wims being ejected from the game and suspended for two games by the NFL the next day.[20][21] Gardner-Johnson was also fined $5,128 for his actions with Wims.[22]

In Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, Gardner-Johnson recorded his first career sack on quarterback Nick Mullens during the 27–13 win.[23][24] In Week 12 against the Denver Broncos, Gardner-Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by wide receiver Kendall Hinton during the 31–3 win.[25] Gardner-Johnson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Saints on December 30, 2020,[26] and activated on January 8, 2021.[27] In the 2020 season, Gardner-Johnson finished with one sack, 66 total tackles, one interception, and 13 passes defended.[28]

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.[29][30]

2021

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Gardner-Johnson (#22) playing against the Washington Football Team in 2021.

Gardner-Johnson entered 2021 as a starting safety. He started seven games before being placed on injured reserve on November 13.[31] He was activated on December 11.[32] 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.[33] He finished the 2021 season with two sacks, 46 total tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defended.[34]

Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)

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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.[35] He started the first 11 games before suffering a lacerated kidney in Week 12.[36][37] He was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2022, leading the league in interceptions.[38][39] He was activated from injured reserve on January 7, 2023.[40] He finished the 2022 season with one sack, 67 total tackles (61 solo), six interceptions, and eight passes defended.[41] 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.[42]

Detroit Lions

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On March 20, 2023, the Detroit Lions signed Gardner-Johnson to a one-year, $8 million contract.[43]

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.[44] In Week 2, he suffered a torn pectoral and was placed on injured reserve on September 19, 2023.[45]

On December 14, 2023, Gardner-Johnson was medically cleared to return to the field.[46] He was activated on January 6, 2024.[47]

Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)

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On March 14, 2024, Gardner-Johnson signed a three-year contract to return to the Eagles.[48]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2019 NO 16 7 49 38 11 0.0 8 1 28 28 28 0 1 1 0
2020 NO 15 13 66 52 14 1.0 13 1 3 3 3 0 0 0 0
2021 NO 12 11 46 32 14 2.0 7 3 45 15 26 0 0 0 0
2022 PHI 12 12 67 61 6 1.0 8 6 54 9 25 0 0 0 0
2023 DET 3 2 17 16 1 0.0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 –
2024 PHI 1 1 5 2 3 0.0 0 0 – – – – 0 0 –
Career 59 46 250 201 49 4.0 39 12 130 10.8 28 0 1 1 0

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2019 NO 1 1 3 2 1 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 NO 2 2 10 7 3 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 PHI 3 3 12 7 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 DET 2 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

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Abolverdi, Zach (March 13, 2018). "New name, same position for Florida DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson". SEC Country. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018 – via Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ "Gators DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson honors stepfather with name change". www.mynews13.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Gardner MVP as Florida wins Outback Bowl". Florida Today. Associated Press. January 2, 2017. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2020. Former Cocoa High star Chauncey Gardner Jr., returned one of his two fourth-quarter interceptions 58 yards for a touchdown
  4. ^ Polacek, Scott (August 9, 2020). "Saints' Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Announces He's Changed His Name to Ceedy Duce". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  5. ^ Birkett, Dave (October 27, 2023). "Detroit Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson says he's officially changing his name to Ceedy Duce". USAToday.com. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Outback Bowl – Florida vs Iowa Box Score, January 2, 2017". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "Hall of Fame Bowl (1986–1994), Outback Bowl (1995–2021), and ReliaQuest Bowl". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Young, Ryan (April 11, 2018). "New position, same swagger for Florida's Chauncey Gardner-Johnson". SEC Country. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  9. ^ Baker, Matt (November 26, 2018). "Florida Gators' Chauncey Gardner-Johnson declares for NFL draft". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  10. ^ "C.J. Gardner-Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  11. ^ "2019 Draft Scout Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  12. ^ "Saints trade up in Round 4 to acquire Chauncey Gardner-Johnson". New Orleans Saints. April 27, 2019. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "Saints beat Falcons to clinch third straight NFC South title". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 28, 2019. Archived from the original on November 29, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  14. ^ "Saints chasing NFC's top seed rally to beat Titans 38–28". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 22, 2019. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  15. ^ "C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  16. ^ "2019 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  17. ^ Barna, Daniel (October 11, 2020). "Saints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas Benched After Physical Altercation With Teammates". Complex. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  18. ^ Goldberg, Rob (November 2, 2020). "Report: Javon Wims Told Bears That Gardner-Johnson Spit on Him Before Punches". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  19. ^ Owens, Jason (November 2, 2020). "Bears' Javon Wims suspended 2 games for punch, C.J. Gardner-Johnson denies he spit on him". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  20. ^ Patra, Kevin (November 2, 2020). "Bears WR Javon Wims suspended two games for punching Saints DB". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  21. ^ Triplett, Mike (November 2, 2020). "NFL suspends Wims; Saints DB denies spitting". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  22. ^ Williams, Charean (November 7, 2020). "Chauncey Gardner-Johnson fined $5,128 for tiff with Javon Wims". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  23. ^ Sigler, John (November 19, 2020). "C.J. Gardner-Johnson had the fastest sack in the NFL in Week 10". Saints Wire. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  24. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  25. ^ "New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – November 29th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  26. ^ Triplett, Mike (December 30, 2020). "Saints safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson placed on reserve/COVID-19 list". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  27. ^ Simmons, Myles (January 8, 2021). "Saints activate C.J. Gardner-Johnson off COVID-19 list". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  28. ^ "C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  29. ^ "Wild Card – Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – January 10th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  30. ^ Barbieri, Alyssa (January 16, 2021). "Anthony Miller fined for throwing punch at CJ Gardner-Johnson in wild-card game". Bears Wire. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  31. ^ Jackson, Ross (November 13, 2021). "New Orleans Saints DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson heads to injured reserve, creating sizable hole on defense". CanalStreetChronicles.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  32. ^ Sigler, John (December 9, 2021). "C.J. Gardner-Johnson designated to return from Saints injured reserve". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  33. ^ "Saints frustrate Brady again, beat SB champ Buccaneers 9–0". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 20, 2021. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  34. ^ "C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  35. ^ Spadaro, Dave (August 30, 2022). "Eagles agree to acquire S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson from Saints". philadelphiaeagles.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  36. ^ Smith, E. J. (November 29, 2022). "Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has a lacerated kidney, but could still return this season". Inquirer.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  37. ^ "C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  38. ^ Clapp, Matt (March 20, 2023). "NFL interceptions leader signs with new team". The Comeback. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  39. ^ Gowton, Brandon Lee (December 3, 2022). "Eagles activate Jordan Davis, place CJGJ on injured reserve". Bleeding Green Nation. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  40. ^ Reuben, Frank (January 7, 2023). "Eagles activate Gardner-Johnson in flurry of roster moves". RSN. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  41. ^ "C.J. Gardner-Johnson 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  42. ^ "Super Bowl LVII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 12th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  43. ^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson". DetroitLions.com. March 20, 2023. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  44. ^ Risdon, Jeff (July 24, 2023). "Lions get very good news on C.J. Gardner-Johnson's injury". Lions Wire. USA Today. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  45. ^ Woodyard, Eric (September 19, 2023). "Lions place C.J. Gardner-Johnson, James Houston on IR". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  46. ^ Woodyard, Eric (December 14, 2023). "'Mutant genes': Lions' Gardner-Johnson cleared". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  47. ^ Reisman, Jeremy (January 6, 2024). "Lions activate C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Alim McNeill; add 2 from practice squad". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  48. ^ McPherson, Chris (March 14, 2024). "Eagles agree to terms with C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a 3-year contract". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
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