Eagles’ Fred Johnson recalls how Jeff Stoutland saved him when he hit ‘rock bottom’

Fred Johnson recalled how offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland didn't give up on him two years ago when he hit rock bottom in Philly.

Eagles’ Fred Johnson recalls how Jeff Stoutland saved him when he hit ‘rock bottom’

Fred Johnson and Jeff Stoutland (Via NBC Sports/Bleeding Green Nation)

Sometimes, all it takes is one person to believe in you and pull you back from your rock bottom. Two years ago, Fred Johnson had that in Jeff Stoutland when he was part of the practice squad in the Philadelphia Eagles, and his frustration about his career made it very hard for him to believe in himself. 

In those moments of darkness, there was one person who didn’t give up on Johnson – Philly’s legendary offensive line coach Stoutland. Despite having the potential, Johnson’s journey in the NFL didn’t have a good start as he hopped from one team to another in his first four years. By the time he landed with the Eagles, he didn’t get the chance to show his prowess and had to settle in the practice squad, which wasn’t easy for him. 

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I was mad at everybody...I was on the practice squad. I bounced around the league a couple of times. And once you hit rock bottom, you hit rock bottom. It’s either you keep going down or you build yourself back up.
Fred Johnson said to the reporters after the first practice drill after the 53-man roster

Recalling his struggling days in the practice squad of Philly, Johnson revealed being utterly frustrated about his standing in the NFL but it is a credit to the legendary offensive line coach’s character that he didn’t leave Johnson sabotaging his career in the practice squad. 

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Fred Johnson credits Jeff Stoutland for reviving his career

If it wasn’t for Stoutland, Johnson might have bid farewell to the Eagles long ago and didn’t have made the roster consecutively. When the offensive line was doubting himself, Stoutland helped him build confidence and discover himself from a new perspective. 

When I got here, I was so hard-headed, I didn’t want to listen to nobody, especially Stout. And Stout just said, ‘I’m not going to quit on you, I’m not going to give up on you.’ That’s just something I appreciate him the most for because I was on my way out of the league when I got here.
Fred Johnson added
Fred Johnson
Fred Johnson (Via Philadelphia Eagles)

The 27-year-old added that Stoutland earned his trust by never giving up on him. Despite being in the practice squad, the coach gave him the attention and opportunity like a starter, which he gradually learned to embrace. 

After such immense efforts, Johnson finally saw the results after getting the two-year contract from the Eagles to back up tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata in the coming season and set to earn $1.125 million. The two share a great bond and understanding as Stoutland continues to hype the offensive tackle and compliment his plays.

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