Johnson Too Busy to Consider Retiring

The NFL's oldest active quarterback could very well be inactive this football season. Possible retirement doesn't scare Brad Johnson.

He has actually been too busy to even think about it.

"This is the first spring I've had off since college, but I am going every which way," Johnson told FanHouse Monday afternoon as he drove to Ashville, N.C., for a golf fundraiser. "I know it could be over. That's the nature of it."

Johnson, who turns 41 years old in September, is one of 15 quarterbacks in NFL history to play at the ripe age of 40. Johnson was released by the Dallas Cowboys earlier this year after two seasons. He served as the Cowboys' holder and backup quarterback behind Tony Romo.

Johnson started three games for an injured Romo but was largely ineffective. He passed for 122 yards and one touchdown in his lone victory over Tampa Bay.

Johnson, a 17-year veteran, believes he can still play in the NFL but isn't lobbying for a position. He's having too much fun playing Mr. Mom.

Johnson, wife Nikki and their two young boys (Max and Jake) moved from Tallahassee to Athens, Ga., two years ago to be closer to their families. Nikki's sister and brother, Georgia head football coach Mark Richt, live in Athens. Both their mothers also live in Athens. There are enough nieces, nephews and neighborhood children to hand out jerseys and fill a roster.

"I am still working out and throwing but it's not like I am calling teams," Johnson said.

"If the right situation came up and a team is interested, I would look into it. I've played in six or different systems during my career and I am a quick learner. But I am also having a great time helping out with my kids. It never stops. Roles have reversed."

Nikki Johnson has started her own photography business, leaving her hubby to handle many of the daily chores. But those chores usually revolve around athletics, and the trunk of Johnson's car is filled with enough youth equipment to open a sporting goods store.

"I am helping out at local high school, coaching basketball, and I am helping with the boys' teams at school," Johnson said "We are involved in the community so there's always something to do.

"You know, if I end up retiring [from NFL], I can't complain. I've been extremely blessed."

Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is best known for leading Tampa Bay to its first Super Bowl appearance and title in 2002. Noted for his efficiency in the pocket, Johnson's 61.8 completion percentage ranks sixth in NFL history among quarterbacks with more than 3,000 career attempts. Johnson also holds the league record for consecutive seasons (11) with a completion percentage over 60.

In his two seasons with the Cowboys, Johnson played quarterback in only four games with three starts. He completed 48 of his 89 attempts for 506 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions. For his career, Johnson completed 2,668 of his 4,326 attempts for 29,054 yards with 166 touchdowns and 122 interceptions and an overall quarterback rating of 82.5. He is currently 54th on the NFL's all-time touchdown passing list with 166 for his career.

Johnson, never a glamor quarterback, has made a fine NFL career out of being underestimated and underappreciated. Johnson says his game hasn't changed much since his days a Florida State University, where he also played basketball for the Seminoles. Johnson, at 6-foot-5, 238-pounds, is known for his disciplined workout regimen and says he feels good physically.

"As far as purely throwing the ball, I throw the ball better than I think I have ever thrown it," said Johnson, known as one of the game's gentleman and consummate professionals. "It's easy to say when he's older, he's lost it. My game is the same as it was when I was 28. My game is about pace. I feel like I can still play."

Last season, Johnson's birthday cake had more candles on it than fellow quarterbacks Brett Favre (Jets, who turned 39 in October), Jeff Garcia (Bucs, 38) and Mark Brunell (Saints, 38). Johnson has tried to keep up with Favre, who has proven it's never too late to change your mind about retiring.

Last week, media reports indicated the future Hall of Fame quarterback and former Green Bay icon might sign with the Minnesota Vikings, that head coach Brad Childress planned to fly to Mississippi to meet with him and, finally, that Favre had called off the meeting and confirmed, however temporarily, his football career is over.

"I am not sure if Brett really knows what he wants to do, but Minnesota, that's a natural transition for him," Johnson said. "I don't doubt at all that he wants to play."

Johnson was also startled when he heard that the Cowboys' training facility had collapsed on May 2 during heavy winds and had left 12 people injured, including a 33-year-old team staff member who is paralyzed from the waist down. Dallas was holding its rookie mini-camp at the time.

"That was unbelievable," Johnson said.

"Even during a light rain when we practiced in that facility it sounded like a thunderstorm. It was amazing more people weren't hurt, and they are fortunate that they weren't in a full-fledged mini camp with the entire team."

Johnson, of course, would love nothing more than to be on NFL roster this season. But he's not worried if it doesn't happen and he decides to retire. He knows that day will eventually arrive, like it or not.

"I don't have any complaints," Johnson said and laughed.

"I've been too busy to complain."