C.J. Gardner-Johnson

C.J. Gardner-Johnson's Biography

Chauncey “C.J.” Gardner-Johnson was born on December 20, 1997, and has since made a name for himself in the realm of American professional football, where he plays the position of safety for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League (NFL). Born as Chauncey Gardner Jr., he changed his surname to Gardner-Johnson the year before becoming a junior at Florida to honor his stepfather, Brian Johnson, who raised him from his toddlerhood until college, though his biological father Chauncey Gardner Sr. was also present in his life.

Gardner-Johnson’s career took off when he was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft, after choosing to forgo his last year of eligibility at Florida. He began his career at Florida, where he played as a true freshman in all 14 games, earning the title of the Outback Bowl MVP in 2017. His success continued with consistent play throughout his second year, and his third year saw him transitioning to the nickelback position.

In his early tenure with the Saints, Gardner-Johnson stood out with his performances in several key games. He recorded his first career interception against the Atlanta Falcons, and also managed to make eight tackles and force a fumble against the Tennessee Titans. His solid performance earned him a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Notable activities from his professional life include an incident where he was punched by teammate Michael Thomas, leading to the latter’s benching, and a scuffle with Bears player Javon Wims, an incident that resulted in Wims’ two-game suspension.

Making waves both on and off the field, Gardner-Johnson twice hinted at a major change by posting about intending to change his name to Ceedy Duce legally. He suggested that Ceedy is his alter ego on the field, while in life, people still know him as C.J. or Chauncey.

Injured during several of the games in 2021, he nevertheless managed to put in a strong performance every time he got on the field. Despite several injuries that year, Gardner-Johnson finished the season with scores that included two sacks and three interceptions.

A trading spree in 2022 saw him moving to the Philadelphia Eagles along with a seventh-round pick for a fifth-round pick and two sixth-round picks in the upcoming 2024 draft. Despite suffering a lacerated kidney midway through, Gardner-Johnson led the league in interceptions before being placed on injured reserve. He returned to the field in time to help the Eagles reach the Super Bowl, where he made four tackles.

Gardner-Johnson moved to the Detroit Lions in March 2023 with an $8 million contract for one year. However, his stint there was marked by injuries including a non-contact leg injury followed by a torn pectoral, which required him to be placed on the injured reserve list once again.

He managed to return to the field by the end of the year and ended his season with the Lions with impressive stats, marking his recovery from the injuries earlier in the year. With the rollercoaster of a year behind him, Gardner-Johnson returned to the Eagles, signing a three-year contract in March 2024. Despite the tumultuous nature of his career, Gardner-Johnson continues to break boundaries and remains a dedicated figure in the world of American football.