Jim Johnson Passes Away at Age 68: The Sadness and Football Effect

Some incredibly sad news today as Jim Johnson, former defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, passed away today at the age of 68. He had been battling cancer for a few months now.

There's too much to be said of Jim Johnson. He was a stand-up man as well as an unbelievable football coach. His defense will leave an impact on the NFL that coaches for generations to come will look at and study.

Johnson is survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren.

His family, as well as the entire football world, grieve today as the passing of a great man is always a day of overwhelming sadness.

I'm sure tomorrow will be the most quiet and somber practice that the Eagles have ever had under coach Reid, and the entire Philadelphia fanbase is reeling after one of the worst tragedies to hit their football team since the passing of Jerome Brown.

As far as football is concerned, I hope that the Eagles, especially the defense, use this as a motivator for themselves throughout the entire year.

As I've written about before, I had the unfortunate experience of losing a friend right before a football season.

What happens when men play for each other, and for someone's memory, is unfathomable to those who have not experienced it for themselves. When you're tired and you don't want to go for that next snap, the memory of that man pushes you forward. When you're hurt and feel like there's no way you can go on, that memory pushes you.

When you're down by 10 points in the fourth quarter and you feel broken and defeated, that memory pushes you to incredible heights of fortitude and toughness that the sheer will to win just cannot match on its own.

The human spirit is an incredible one, especially when it's playing for a spirit other than its own.

The Eagles, and the world, have lost a great man. However, in his place, they find a new reason to push forward. Even in death, Jim Johnson will remain a part of this team all the way to Miami and beyond.

Rest in peace, Jim. You will be missed.