Professional football player Derrick "DJ" Johnson serves as a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League. Johnson joined the Chiefs in 2005 after he was selected 15th overall in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Prior to playing professionally, Johnson spent his college football career with the Texas Longhorns football team.http://www.kcchiefs.com/team/roster/Derrick-Johnson/361f2360-8ddb-4137-bd66-561e46714232

In the 2010 National Football League season, Johnson was named the American Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his play during the 15th week. Johnson recorded 17 tackles in the December 19, 2010, game against the St. Louis Rams.http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/22/derrick-johnsons-17-tackles-lead-to-pow-award/

Born on November 22, 1982, Johnson attended Waco High School in his hometown of Waco, Texas, where he played football and basketball. He went on to play football with the Texas Longhorns and immediately won awards for his performance including a selection to the Freshman All-American Team and the award for the Big 12 Conference Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year. Johnson played four seasons with the Longhorns, earning additional selections to the All-American and All-Big 12 Teams. His senior season was his statistically best as he recorded 130 tackles and two sacks, which helped him win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Butkus Award. Johnson finished his college career with 458 tackles, including 65 tackles for a loss to set a school record, 39 quarterback pressures, 30 pass defenses, 11 forced fumbles, 10.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, five fumble recoveries and 100 return yards for a touchdown.http://www.kcchiefs.com/team/roster/Derrick-Johnson/361f2360-8ddb-4137-bd66-561e46714232

Off the field, Johnson has a wife, Tamika, and a son, Derrick II. In 2007, he was named the Role Model of the Year by the children of the Greater Kansas City Boys & Girls Clubs. He also created King of the Field - The Derrick Johnson Foundation, which provides opportunities for youth.http://www.kcchiefs.com/team/roster/Derrick-Johnson/361f2360-8ddb-4137-bd66-561e46714232

After he was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by Kansas City, Johnson joined the team immediately and played in all 16 regular-season games as a rookie. He recorded 95 tackles that season, the second-highest total of his career through the 2010 season. He went on to see in excess of 75 tackles each season, with the exception of the 2009 campaign when he had only 37. However, in 2009, Johnson tallied three interceptions, a career best, which he returned for a total of 175 yards and two touchdowns.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=8430