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He's a Raider to rave about
By Murray Greig (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-06-16 06:47

His name is Teyo. As in T.O. As in Totally Obliging. And he's so darn personable that he just might be the National Football League's answer to Yao Ming in China.

At 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, there's no question Oakland Raiders tight end Teyo Johnson is the biggest thing to hit China's fledgling American football scene. And judging by the reaction of worshipful youngsters who hung on his every word at a banquet prior to last weekend's China Flag Football Championship in Beijing, he fills the role admirably.

"Take a good look at that sign," the Canadian-born Johnson exhorted the young players, pointing to a banner stating 'The Dream Begins Here.'

"This is how it started for me, and how it can start for you. But the dream is more than just playing and winning at football; it's about teamwork and sacrifice and dedication. Football builds character. It toughens your body, and it sharpens your mind. Living the dream means striving for your goals, both on and off the field. That's what the game has taught me."

Johnson presented the China NFL Flag Football League MVP award to Ding Shiwei of Changning Middle School in Shanghai.

"He's not much older than us, but he is very wise," said Ding, whose team defeated Guangzhou's No. 86 Middle School 53-24 in Saturday's final. "Listening to Teyo gives me hope of maybe playing football in America one day."

As champions of China, Changning Middle School will be one of 10 international squads competing for the NFL Flag Football World Championship in Vancouver, Canada, August 5-8.

The 22-year-old Johnson, who started in the sport at age 10, said his parents and two older brothers had the greatest influence on shaping his career.

"My parents showed me the value of hard work, of sticking to something until it's finished," he said. "My dad coached me when I was a kid and taught be how to play quarterback in high school.

"My brothers, Ahmani and Riall, really opened my eyes to football and had the patience and guidance when I was young. I wouldn't have made the NFL without such strong support from my family."

Ahmani Johnson played in the Canadian Football League and for the Chicago Bears in the NFL. Riall was a sixth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001 and appeared in seven NFL games last season.

Teyo was one of the top two-sport college athletes in the US when he was drafted by the Raiders in the second round in 2003. En route to earning a degree in sociology, he finished his career at Stanford with 79 receptions and 15 touchdowns and was a starter on the school's nationally-ranked basketball team.

His talent on the hardcourt won him MVP honours at the Nike Best in the West camp in 1998, which led to a starting spot as the power forward on Nike's High 5 America squad - which also included Chinese centre Yao Ming. In 2000 Johnson was a member of the Canadian Junior Olympic basketball team which competed in Brazil.

"Yao and me go way back ... he's a great guy, a great friend, and I'm very pleased to be able to visit his home country to spread the word about football," said Johnson.

"When we played together in '98 I could see Yao was definitely a very special talent, but what impressed me even more than his ability was that he was such a nice guy. He was a little shy, but very friendly and accommodating once you got to know him. We still keep in touch and follow each other's progress. He invited me to his first NBA All-Star Game last season, which was really great."

When Johnson was approached about getting involved with NFL China Flag Football, they didn't have to be ask him twice.

"I look at it as a way - a small way - of giving something back to the game that has given me so much," he said matter-of-factly.

"I really enjoy working with kids, and this is an opportunity to experience another culture, another way of life. I do a lot of community work in and around Oakland, in some of the poorest areas of the city, and I know what it means for youngsters to have a goal, something to shoot for. I'm also involved with mentoring programmes which help kids focus on what they want to do in the future.

"Here in China, the primary focus is on flag football, which is a terrific way to learn the basic elements of the game. But beyond that, I hope maybe my involvement will help some Chinese kids aspire to actually playing in the NFL and making pro football their career goal.

"I've seen these kids, and I know what kind of athletes they are. I'm convinced that you could take some of China's fastest soccer players and turn 'em into NFL defensive backs. The raw ability is here now; the skill level just has to be elevated a couple of notches."

As for his own development, Johnson is heading into his second season with the Raiders with his eyes wide open.

"Watching superstars like (quarterback) Rich Gannon and (wide receiver) Jerry Rice work so hard every day in practice makes me realize how difficult it is to make it to the NFL, and what it takes to stay here," he said.

"I was blessed with the kind of size and physical ability that creates mismatches in coverage, and having played quarterback in high school helps me anticipate plays on the field, but there's still no substitute for hard work and learning from veterans.

"Training with Jerry Rice and Rich Gannon and the rest of the Raiders is amazing ... I learn so much from those guys. I'm like a sponge, trying to soak up everything I can. Pro football is a great career, and I want it to last for a long time."

 
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