Rest in Peace Jim

First, let me pass on my condolences to Vicky Johnson and the rest of her family after the passing of her husband Jim. While he was a hell of a football coach, he was certainly much more than that. In sports, we are taught to move on quickly after a lost game or injured teammate, but this type of loss will hurt forever.

Many people might wonder what kind of impact a defensive coordinator might have on a quarterback. I can’t speak for all those relationships but I can speak about Jim and me. Afterall, in my entire 10 year career I’ve only had one defensive coordinator. That itself is rare. We have shared many ups and downs. From my rookie season where he blitzed me to death in practice. I said it then and will repeat it again, going against Jim’s defense in practice prepared me for ANYTHING I may ever see in a game. It was the best learning experience a young QB could ask for.

Although we haven’t experienced our dream of winning a Super Bowl, we won a lot of games together. There was never a game that we went into that I didn’t think we could win because I believed that Jim could shut down the opponent. I think back to my rookie year against the “Greatest Show on Turf,” the last game of the season when the Rams won the Super Bowl. I was a rookie coming back from an injury and they were clearly the best team in the NFL. We went in and beat them that day.

That was just the beginning. The following years provided many other terrific memories.

My lasting memory of Jim will be one of an older guy with a young spirit. He inspired many people both whom he came in contact with and just the ones who knew him from the product he put on the field. He will certainly be missed.

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Comments (46)

Justwannawinna said July 29, 2009

RIP to the Late GREAT JIM JOHNSON!!!!
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khollen said July 29, 2009

touching post don. let`s win a super bowl ring for JJ.
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rustysrf89 said July 29, 2009

Nice post Donovan. JJ will be missed thats for sure.
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reeseheaven said July 29, 2009

Here is to best defensive coordinator to ever grace the NFL!!!! He will be deeply missed!
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khollen said July 29, 2009

i`m sure he will be watching from that big football field in the sky.
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Birdman1933 said July 29, 2009

Well said. Since he was viewed by just about everyone as a champion off the field, it would be a helluva gesture for the team to provide his family with a ring after you hoist the trophy in Miami. Especially as the league's top ranked D using his blueprint...
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sixereagle said July 29, 2009

Mr Johnson was the greatest and i dont say that because he was and is an eagle ....i say that becuase i never heard a bad word about him,,,,,,you can gain more from a person by the things other people say about them and what i hear is the other side the caring the pushing them to their potential and being a father figure thats that mark of a great man and on top of that he would blitz the shi* out of everyone.,,,,,he was an innovative defensive boss i always admired the fact that no matter what he wasnt changing his defense and it worked RIP Mr Johnson your missed!!!
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funkediva said July 29, 2009

Well said Donovan. Eagle Nation will keep Jim's family in our prayers as well as the team. R.I.P.
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HayatoKanzaki1 said July 29, 2009

R.I.P. Jim!!!!!!
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joyner56fan said July 29, 2009

as a season ticket holder long before jim got to philly i got to see just how much johnson ment to the team,players,fans and city.he was one of us a philly guy all the way,i can't thank him enough for the thrills he gave me as a fans watching his attacking agressive defense's- its just a matter of time before the hall of fame in canton calls his number,just look at his career with the birds
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5snumber1fan said July 29, 2009

HEY DONOVAN, GREAT POST. HE WILL BE MISSED ON THE FIELD AS WELL AS OFF. HIS IMPACT WAS FELT THROUGHOUT NFL TEAMS AND WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE HAD JIM AS OUR OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR. IN THAT PLACE WHERE JIM IS NOW I AM SURE HE WILL BE LOOKING DOWN AND DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO WIN THE BIG ONE. RIP MR JOHNSON.OUR HEARTS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND TEAM.
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jjisthetruth said July 29, 2009

Nice McNabb, hope you have a great season in tribute to him.
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5forlife said July 29, 2009

God Bless Jim, his family, and you. May the Eagles win it all for Jim
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THEBOSS36 said July 29, 2009

good lookin out Don. Im sure the Johnson family really appriecates this post along with all the Eagles fans out there. Don ur a real stand up guy. God bless.
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DubDeezy80 said July 29, 2009

RIP JJ!! You will truly missed and never forgotten! Your memory will be preserved in the HOF!
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DoddiCoyote said July 29, 2009

Touching words Donovan. Rest in peace Jim, you'll always be great.
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jdensham916 said July 29, 2009

Your legacy will live on forever! Now its time to win one for you JIM!!!! R.I.P. GO EAGLES!!!!
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webkid30 said July 29, 2009

RIP Jim Johnson. You are respected far and wide and your legacy lives on.
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hockeygoddess said July 29, 2009

RIP Jim - Thanks for the post Donovan. I appreciate all the time you spend blogging, but I'm hoping all the sad blogs are finished. Let's have some good news for a change. This girl is hoping for a ring - do it for Jim!
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Zukny1 said July 29, 2009

RIP Jim! This man was one of the greatest Eagles to ever live! Its a sad week!
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EaglesFever911 said July 29, 2009

Jim was one of the all time greatest on defensive coaching and he will truly be missed by all of us in Eagle Nation! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the team. Let's dedicate this year to Jim Johnson and bring the ring here to Philly in his memory!!

Rest in Peace Jim - You were the best!!!
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NPhillyBirdman said July 29, 2009

Jim, may your legacy live on. You have been inducted into the greatest Hall of Fame ever and that's Heaven. Say hi to Reggie for me. You will truly be missed.
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EAGLESxFAN1933 said July 29, 2009

Thank You, Jim. Thank You for everything You have done for the Eagles. You are missed, my thoughts and prayers go out to the Johnson family.
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eaglesx58 said July 29, 2009

RIP J.J. the Greatest D-coach in the game. Win one for Jim
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vic1232 said July 29, 2009

good post donovan I hope this is more fuel for the fire
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bdaak20 said July 29, 2009

Well said Donovan! I think being around classy guys like Prof Johnson, Andy, and you has spoiled us.

I hope that you can bring home a Super Bowl in Coach Johnson's honor.
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GreenFiend said July 29, 2009

One day we will all look back on the Reid-McNabb-Johnson era with great fondness. Here's to Jim Johnson and the excellence he brought to my favorite team in all of sports, and to you, Donovan, from a fan who appreciates you, your many great contributions already, and your continued desire to bring us the title we all want. And here's hoping 2009 is a year we as Eagles fans will remember in the end with huge smiles, not just sadness.
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EazyEagleZ said July 29, 2009

Too many Philly legends have been leaving us way too soon lately. Rest in peace to you Coach Johnson, and may you family continue to prosper without you. Your regular family and your football family.
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calieagle99 said July 29, 2009

R.I.P. Coach Johnson, thanks for everything.
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greenisback said July 29, 2009

RIP Jim Johnson you will be missed. We'll get it done for you this year. Thanks for all the great defenses you put out on sundays.

Nice blog donovan
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5ivefan said July 29, 2009

Thanks for your thoughts and feelings on the loss of our extended family member. Jim made our D what it is and we can always appreciate that. I'm hoping we can win it all this year for him. Jim will be deeply missed. R.I.P. Jim.
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Spotella said July 29, 2009

Once again DMac, you show a lot of class. My heart goes out to his family and all of those touched by him!
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Bornbirdsfan said July 29, 2009

RIP JJ...
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MattYoukilis said July 29, 2009

RIP JJ.
I'm sad, too.
????????????????????????
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rjajr99 said July 29, 2009

Do him proud this year, D. Win it for Mr. Johnson. He's coming up with blitz schemes for the Lord now.
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BenPhranklin said July 29, 2009

this one is tough to swallow
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- khollen replied July 30, 2009
  
  yes it is ben. i still can`t believe it.
eagleman94 said July 30, 2009

unexpected. rip jim .. sad day for football fans and eagle fans alike
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MONSTER said July 30, 2009

rip
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50yardline said July 30, 2009

as a eagles fan i relly liked jim jonson

rip
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- khollen replied August 01, 2009
  
  who wouldn`t?
jerseys12 said July 30, 2009

Thanks jim johnson,and best to family---for 10 years of winning football,and Donovan,have a great season buddy!!!
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PA5EAGLES said July 31, 2009

Donovan, thank you for taking the time during camp to post this very nice tribute to Jim Johnson. Looking forward to a great season.
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JackKellysays said August 04, 2009

We Giants fans up here totaly respected JJ.
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stathopoulos_p said October 14, 2009

I am a Patriots fan and I first heard of this when the Patriots went to Philadelphia to take on your eagles in the preseason and I also saw the decals on your helmets.
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stathopoulos_p said October 14, 2009

I am a Patriots fan and I first heard of this when the Patriots went to Philadelphia to take on your eagles in the preseason and I also saw the decals on your helmets.
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Rest in Peace Jim

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