Latest news with #DerrickJohnson
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs legend Derrick Johnson reveals his mindset on retiring, Defend the Dream Foundation
A post shared by Defend The Dream Foundation (@defendthedreamfoundation) This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his realization that he would leave Kansas City after 13 seasons. "Defend The Dream Foundation caters to inner city kids through education. But what we do is go to Title I elementary schools in low-income areas and do library makeovers at their school. We add nice paint on the walls, comfortable furniture, rugs, bean bags, and a space that's specifically designed for kids. "We make it look nice and bright so it's conducive to learning," said Johnson. "We give them over 1,000 age-appropriate books, new books that they can read and do independent reading." Do anything that they need to have more resources to help them to read better, because we know there's a bad stat in the reading column; we talk in low-income areas; if they're not on grade level reading by the time they leave elementary school, half of them don't finish high school. So that's a big deal." Johnson ended his Chiefs playing career after the 2017 AFC Wild Card loss to the Tennessee Titans, but played one more season with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. He would eventually return to Kansas City to sign a one-day contract to retire with the team for which he holds the franchise record for tackles. "I was hoping it wasn't (my last game in Kansas City). But there was a reality check at the beginning of the (2017 Wild Card) game, like, this could be my last time breaking it down as a group," said Johnson, "At the moment, you don't know. Playing for 13 years, it seems like it never ends. So it's hard to say this is my last one, but 'Father Time' has gotten to me. I wasn't the player I used to be." Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose Writing. Super DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now! Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson comments on his 2017 AFC Wild Card sack of Marcus Mariota
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his memorable sack of Marcus Mariota in the 2017 AFC Wild Card playoffs. "Right now, the littles (Derrick's children) love it because their names are in the book. But at the beginning of the book, it says, hey, you know, this is Derrick Johnson and Brittni Johnson, and this is their family, and they have six kids. They're like, Oh, snap, that's us right there. So that's kind of cool." said Johnson, "So that made them be like, alright, that I got the upper hand for them to really dive into the book, and they enjoy it because now they know it's about Dad and it's, it has them at the beginning of the book and the end of the book. So it's kind of cool. Cool seeing their reaction. I'm talking about the littles, the big boys. They're like, Oh, that's cool. They read it, but it's mainly for little kids." Johnson had eight tackles in the 2017 AFC Wild Card Game and sacked quarterback Marcus Mariota in an electrifying manner that could have resulted in a turnover. The Chiefs' 22–21 loss to the Tennessee Titans also served as Johnson's last with the team after 13 seasons. "When you're at home and in the playoffs, up 21-3, you book it. I don't care if it's the end of the second or third quarter. I don't care what it is. You figured out how to win the game; unfortunately, we didn't. Some things happened in that game, where, if they go our way, we probably win," said Johnson, "I'm always reminded by Chiefs fans when I see them play. 'Man, that Mariota hit.' That Titans game in 2017 was tough. It was obviously a bad call. They look at it now and, like, there's no way you call that. I think they called it forward progress. I mean, it was a hit-and-out. I had a really good game, my last game as a Chief, and, man, I got some really good championship moments. Never won the big one at the Chiefs, but was there for 13 years. So I learned a lot and was blessed a lot." Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose Writing. Super DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now! Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.
CNBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Elon Musk's xAI permits challenged by NAACP, environmental groups in Memphis
Opposition to xAI's supercomputer facility in Memphis, Tennessee, intensified on Wednesday after environmental and civil rights groups filed to appeal a permit that allows the company to run natural gas-burning turbines to power its massive data center. When xAI, which is run by Elon Musk, first set up in Memphis last year, the artificial intelligence startup said the turbines it installed initially were temporary and too small to require permits. The company categorized them as "nonroad engine" style generators. Residents living near the facility complained for months that emissions from the turbines were creating a stench, worsening air pollution in Memphis, and disproportionately impacting people in nearby majority-Black communities. Still, the Shelby County Health Department issued a permit on July 2, allowing xAI to use up to 15 of the turbines. The department agreed that the turbines were small enough to be considered nonroad engines. In the appeal, dated July 15, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), which is representing the NAACP, and an environmental group called Young, Gifted & Green claim that the county's health department had ignored residents' concerns. The SELC also argued that the health department miscategorized the turbines used by xAI and issued the permits improperly, a violation of the Clean Air Act and some local environmental regulations. NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement that, "Our health shouldn't be threatened at the hands of billionaires who circumvent the law." The gas-burning turbines emit nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde, among other pollutants, according to spec sheets on the website of Solaris Energy Infrastructure, xAI's partner and installer. Exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are precursors to ozone formation, have been associated with higher risk of death from respiratory disease. In a statement to CNBC on Wednesday evening, xAI said it was "disheartened (but not surprised)" to see the SELC's appeal. The company accused the firm of making a "baseless, politically driven appeal," and said it has "and will continue to comply with all federal, state and local laws." Environmental concerns aren't the only controversy facing xAI as the company tries to challenge OpenAI, Google, Meta and others in developing large AI models and services on top of them. Grok, xAI's chatbot, recently began to generate and spread antisemitic posts across X, including some that praised Hitler. The company apologized days later for making code updates that caused Grok to spit out the offensive content. Recently, xAI also launched a new Grok feature allowing users to access "AI companions." In tests by NBC News, some of the companions pressured Grok users into sexually explicit or violent conversations.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Derrick Johnson praises Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy's progress
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his thoughts on fellow Texas alum Xavier Worthy's upcoming sophomore season."I really believe that hard work pays off," said Johnson, "That's kind of getting into the book (Super DJ Saves Field Day) a little bit, but that just this is an opportunity to kind of minister to the younger generation, not just talking to talk, but I think this is a walk-in, the walk thing, where they can actually have something tangible with them, take home, and something they can remember and revert to when adversity hits." Johnson continues to support his college alma mater and is thrilled to have another Longhorns star making a significant impact for the Chiefs."I'm proud of Xavier. Man, they call him X-Man; you talk about someone who is a high-profile guy. The University of Texas is back on the map, especially with Coach Sark (Steve Sarkisian) at the helm, and he's benefiting from being under Andy Reid and the Chiefs' current success. When I first got to the Chiefs, it was okay. We went through a bad time and then returned to doing some great things," said Johnson, "I played with Andy Reid for five years. So he's got it. I mean, best coach ever. So, for Xavier Worthy to be with Coach Reid. Coach Reed is also a mastermind regarding offensive mindsets and philosophies. He's in a perfect situation. I don't know how the NFL let that happen. The fastest guy in combine history to go to the best, probably one of the best quarterbacks ever, and Andy Reid's offense."Worthy finished his breakout 2024 rookie season with 59 receptions for 638 yards and nine touchdowns."This is going to be fun for the next few years. So it's kind of cool to see, but he's had a lot of success in his first year. So I mean, it's good to be a Chief right now," said Johnson, "So he has a different path from what I was on. But it's cool that he will probably continue for the AFC Championship or the Super Bowl each year. So, man, that's what you play the game for, and he's in a great situation." Advertisement Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose Writing. Super DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now!Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation . This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Derrick Johnson praises Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy's progress
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs legend Derrick Johnson discusses his new book, reflects on his NFL career
A post shared by Brittni Johnson (@brittnijohnson_) This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Kansas City Chiefs legend and franchise leader in tackles, Derrick Johnson, about his new children's book, 'Super DJ Saves Field Day,' Defend The Dream Foundation, and his journey to becoming a Pro Bowler in the NFL."I know the platform I have a great influence on their lives, and being able to tell them things that will help them be successful in life in sports or not, actually in the classroom, some things, some values that I cherish from when I grew up." said Johnson, "My mom's a school teacher for a long time, over 40 years. So, being able to get the right values at a young age allows me to help the kids out because I've been in their seats before. I also have my foundation (Defend The Dream Foundation) and attend various schools, even if they're not affiliated with my foundation. I'm always interested in working with high schools, junior highs, and elementary schools, helping to motivate students. My book (Super DJ Saves Field Day) is a prime example of my wife and me writing. It is a prime example of something they can take home and remember." The Chiefs selected Johnson with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. In his 13 seasons with the Chiefs, he became the franchise's all-time leading tackler, although his tenure didn't start smoothly."It was actually a little slower for me, believe it or not. I didn't start getting All-Pro seasons and Pro Bowl statistics and all that stuff until my sixth year in the NFL. So I'm a first-round pick, and usually, that stuff comes a lot quicker. But for me, I had some growing pains. Not that I was doing badly. I was playing, obviously doing some great things, but I didn't quite put it all together yet. I had an adverse moment my fifth year in the league; I got benched." said Johnson, "So being able to have that year, that fifth year in the league, being a first round pick is kind of like that's a big deal to get benched and being able to claw my way out of there, be able to be a better player on and off the field after my fifth year. That's where all my success came from. When you consider four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro seasons, and the Chiefs' all-time leading tackler-breaking records, I credit that to the adversity I faced in my fifth year. So when you talk about going back even to the book and working hard, man, it has many benefits later on in life if you have those attributes and characteristics." Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in and helps kids overcome challenges and find their own super powers, will be released under Black Rose DJ Saves Field Day is available on August 7th. Follow the link to order now!Check the website for more information on Derrick Johnson's Defend The Dream Foundation.
