(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
His time with the Philadelphia Eagles ended about a week ago and now his time on this Earth has also ended. Jim Johnson, former Eagles defensive coach has died from cancer today.
Jim Johnson has been known as one of the best defensive minds in the NFL for many a years now. Some would even go as far as to call him a genius. A true lover of the game Johnson was.
As an avid Eagles fan, I have watched Johnson from the sidelines for years and always had faith in his ability to coach games and choose plays and schemes which would strike fear into his opponents. Since being hired by Andy Reid in 1998, Johnson has had one of the most fearful defenses which had names such as Hugh Douglas, Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, Jeremiah Trotter, Trent Cole, Jevon Kearse, Asante Samuel, and , of course, Brian Dawkins.
He never wanted to be a head coach and loved his job more than anything. I could tel all of this simply by watching him on TV. His face after a win, his face after a loss, his face throughout his battle with cancer.
Sean McDermott, former assistant to Jim Johnson was promoted due to Johnson's battle with cancer. The Eagles must have had some idea of Johnson losing life the past few months. To see him go is a sad day not just for Eagles fans but for all fans. Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins fans know most of all how incredible Jim was.
The hate for teams in the NFC East is strong with rivalries that are intense and profound but all fans should know that Jim Johnson was a kind man with a kind soul that loved the game. All should remember him as being a mentor, a genius, and one of the nicest guys ever to grace the NFL with his presence...RIP Jim Johnson. I hope you are the new defensive mind in the all heaven league :-)
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