Philadelphia Eagles: An interview with wide receiver Damaris Johnson

What do you miss most about playing in the NFL?

Damaris Johnson: Probably, the locker room. You don’t get that same camaraderie with a group of guys anywhere else. You’re with those guys more than you’re with your family for the most part. It’s cool to meet guys from all over the different places and meet each other’s families. You also won’t get that fire and competitiveness you have in your heart as an athlete also anywhere else. You won’t get that doing any other job.

Does any other crowd in the NFL compare to Philadelphia?

Damaris Johnson: I would say no. You just got to understand if you’re soft you can’t play there. They go play-by-play in the stands. You know whether you’re on their good side or not. They will boo you. It’s not that they’re saying you suck or anything like that, but they just expect you to go out there and do your job.

If a plumber comes into your house and fixes your toilet, you thank him for doing such a great job, but if he doesn’t fix anything you’re like what’s going on here. That’s how I look at it.

That Philly crowd is unique and loud. Rain, sleet, or snow they will be there. I’m from New Orleans and the Saints have the dome so you can’t say that about them.  They’re great fans but they have the dome. How can you compare that to people who are driving from all over the area and sitting in the snow for our game?

My family had trouble driving to the stadium for the Snow bowl game against the Lions, and we lived literally like two minutes from there. These fans are driving from New Jersey and King of Prussia just for the game. It’s different in Philly and it’s very respectable. They have the right to boo when they want to.

Tell us about life after football with your family.

Damaris Johnson: It was slow at first because I didn’t know what to do. I would cut my grass three days a week [laughs]. I have three kids so I take care of them and my wife is a schoolteacher so I help her out with that when I can. I also went back to school this Summer and finished up my degree so I’m a college graduate. I’m thinking about coaching. I also mentor and train kids for speed and agility training. I’m just moving into that next phase and deciding what I want to do. I’m just taking things one day at a time with the pandemic and just being thankful to see another day.

Thank you so much for this opportunity, we really enjoyed talking with you, Damaris. We wish you the best with your future whether that may be coaching or opening up a training academy. We miss you in Philly, and we honestly could’ve used you last year when everyone was injured.

Damaris Johnson: Thank you so much for this interview, this was really great. I enjoyed doing this, you guys had great questions, and I think this is the start of something special for you guys in this industry. Blessings to you guys and stay safe with this pandemic and take things one day at a time.