Jovon Johnson in NFL

[Free Agent Fan]

Erie's Johnson signs deal with Steelers

From staff reports

Erie's Jovon Johnson has been giving out autographs lately.

On Tuesday he put his signature on something that he has been seeking for some time - a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will join the Steelers practice squad as a defensive back.

Johnson, a standout at Mercyhurst Prep and Iowa, could not be reached for comment. On Monday, he said he was extremely excited about heading to Pittsburgh for the signing.

This is the third contract Johnson has signed recently. In late September, he signed with the Erie Freeze of the American Indoor Football Association.

Last week, Johnson was competing for a spot on the Steelers' practice squad, but he agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League. At the time, Johnson said if he signed with the Steelers, it would void his contract with the Gladiators.

Johnson was not selected in the NFL draft in early May. He thought he would sign as a free agent with the Steelers, but that deal fell through.

The Jets then signed him and invited him to their mini-camp in May. After three stints with the Jets, Johnson was released in late August.

[UnoBomber]

No surprise, congrats Jovon

[Free Agent Fan]

Today's article


Johnson sticks with familiar colors

By Joe Mattis
[e-mail]

Jovon Johnson is putting on a black and gold uniform again, but don't look for the familiar No. 26 he wore for four seasons at Iowa.

"I picked out number 28 because I couldn't get 26," he said. "Deshea Townsend has it."

Johnson, a defensive back, signed a free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.

After a quick trip to Erie to pick up his belongings, he hurried back to Pittsburgh where he will stay at a downtown motel for the rest of the week.

Johnson was placed on the Steelers' practice squad, a spot he thought was to be his shortly after he wasn't selected in the NFL draft in May.

"The Steelers had an interest in me, but things didn't work out then," he said. "Eventually, I'm back here."

The Steelers had an opening on their roster because cornerback Ricardo Colclough suffered a season-ending injury. Cornerback Anthony Madison was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster to take Colclough's spot.

Johnson, 5 feet 8 inches and 178 pounds, fills Madison's spot on the practice squad.

Ed Hinkel and Dywon Rowan, two of Johnson's former teammates, were happy to hear he had signed with the Steelers.

Hinkel, a Cathedral Prep grad and Johnson's teammate at Iowa, said, "That's great for him. He's worked hard for it."

Rowan, Johnson's cousin and former teammate at Mercyhurst Prep who now plays at Wisconsin, said, "I feel real good about him signing."

"I'm going to make the most of this opportunity," Johnson said. "My confidence level is sky-high. I'll go out and play hard to give our starters a look for the game ahead and to make myself better so I can make the active roster. It's not something that I'm sure will happen, but I'm going to practice like I'm going play that week. That's the best way to make it happen."

Johnson is glad that he is fulfilling his dream within range of his family and friends in Erie. And he feels that the Steelers are a good fit.

"They are genuine people, first and foremost," he said. "You can tell they were successful because the players had faith the guy next to him would do his job. They hit a couple bumps in the road this season, but I expect to do my best an hopefully the guy next to me will do his best and get things going the way they should go here."

Johnson played four seasons at Iowa, finishing with 17 interceptions, third most in school history. After things failed to work out with the Steelers after the draft, Johnson signed with the New York Jets. He was invited to their mini-camp in May, but was eventually released in late August.

Johnson kept his options open, first signing with the Erie Freeze of the American Indoor Football Association in late September, and then with the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League earlier this month. He had the understanding that those contracts would be voided if he signed with the Steelers.

Johnson joins Bob Sanders and Eric Hicks as Erie residents on NFL rosters. Sanders is a safety with the Indianapolis Colts and Hicks a defensive lineman with the Kansas City Chiefs.

JOE MATTIS

can be reached at 870-1676 or by e-mail.

[The Picks Commissioner]

congrats to your boy Jovon. I'm sure he will do well as a Steeler.