Bills Johnson, a Joker with Great Hands

Buffalo Bills Stevie Johnson has a message for NFL fans, “Why so serious?” The receiver had his breakout season last year and is known for his style and swagger on and off the field.  Johnson’s knack for showmanship has won the hearts of many fans. The star receiver once famously lifted his jersey to unveil his shirt which read “Why so serious,” the Joker’s slogan after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, whose receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco often referred to themselves as Batman and Robin.

Nothing has come easy to Johnson.  Hard work, determination and patience have given him his opportunity in the spotlight, and he is loving every minute of it.

Johnson grew up in the Bay Area in California, and started playing football for Angelo Rodriguez High School in Fairfield.  And although the school added its football program after Johnson’s sophomore year, he managed to achieve All-State and All-Conference recognition after only two seasons.

Johnson played college ball at the University of Kentucky, where he earned his nickname “Stevie” from teammates and coaches. In his record- breaking senior year, Johnson compiled 61 receptions for 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was only the fourth player in Kentucky history to gain more than 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. That success was enough for Johnson to be drafted by the Bills in the 7th round (224th overall) of the 2008 draft.

Johnson’s first year in the league was quiet, ending with ten receptions and two touchdowns. His second year was plagued by a severe rib injury that kept him out of the lineup for most of the season.

But 2010 marked a milestone for Johnson’s career.  With the arrival of head coach Chan Gailey, Johnson was given his first opportunity to start alongside longtime Bills receiver Lee Evans.  The result was Johnson’s emergence as a top NFL wideout.

Throughout the 2010 season, Johnson amassed 82 catches for 1,073 yards and ten touchdowns, and was one of few bright spots on a struggling Bills team.  This past offseason, the Bills felt so comfortable with their young receiving core they traded away Evans to the Baltimore Ravens.  The Bills receivers are generally unknown to the national media, prompting Johnson to give his teammates the nickname “the goon squad.”

Many fans worried Johnson would not be able to live up to high expectations this season, becoming the number one receiver and the focus of opposing defenses.  But so far Johnson is on pace to have another 1,000 yard season and eight touchdowns.

Johnson even recorded three catches for 84 yards against the Jets’ Darrelle Revis last week, regarded by many as the best cornerback in the league.  Revis only previously allowed ten catches in eight games.

Johnson’s relaxed attitude and good sense of humor have helped lead a surprise Bills team to a 5-3 start. The star is a regular on Twitter, constantly interacting and joking with fans, even holding weekly contests to give away free merchandise and tickets.  The wideout even dressed up as his Head Coach this Halloween, getting a few laughs from teammates.  “He’s got too much time on his hands,” Coach Gailey said in a chuckle.

With Johnson’s contract expiring after this year, it should be a priority for the Bills to lock up their star for the long-term.  Although Johnson admitted there were currently no talks of an extension right now, he is confident a deal will get done.  The franchise tag would be an option for the Bills in the short term, which would pay Johnson around $10 million in 2012.  Either way Johnson is a valuable asset to his team, a leader neither the Bills nor fans would like to see walk away.

You can follow Johnson on Twitter @StevieJohnson13