Derrick Johnson on Going to Texas, the LB History Wearing #11 & What the Game Means to Him

Derrick Johnson — College Football Hall of Famer, Texas Longhorn legend, and the all‑time leading tackler in Kansas City Chiefs history — sits down with LaVar Arrington for one of the most powerful conversations ever on Good in the Game. From growing up in a football family in Waco, to becoming the most dominant linebacker in Big 12 history, to overcoming adversity in the NFL, DJ breaks down the mindset, discipline, and legacy that shaped his life on and off the field. 00:00 – Growing Up in a Football Family 01:56 – What Was It Like Having Football in Your Blood? 04:05 – The Moment Derrick Johnson Knew Football Was His Path 07:03 – Choosing Football and Becoming a Texas Longhorn 12:19 – The Legacy and Meaning of Wearing Number 11 14:56 – Derrick Johnson's Legendary College Run at Texas 18:10 – How DJ Continued to Improve Without Getting Complacent 22:13 – Becoming a True Student of the Game 28:48 – Fatherhood, Leadership, and Building a Family Culture Transcript - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w4nKg3ZmTVvaY2LJ7MbwjsI45C93J_IsPVrQelYzLwQ/edit?usp=sharing The Good in the Game Podcast, hosted by 2022 NFF Hall of Fame inductee LaVar Arrington (Penn State) is a new podcast from the National Football Foundation where twice a month, we will be looking at everything we love about the game of football. Our mission is to promote and develop the good in the game, and this podcast will tell those stories through exclusive interviews and in-depth discussions and analysis featuring some of the biggest names in the game. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just someone who enjoys the sport, the Good in the Game podcast is the perfect way to stay connected to all things football. Visit Us at https://footballfoundation.org/ #DerrickJohnson #GoodInTheGame #LaVarArrington #TexasLonghorns #KansasCityChiefs #CollegeFootballHallOfFame #NFLLinebacker #FootballLegacy