Christopher Johnson (Canadian football)

Christopher Johnson (born April 18, 1991) is a former professional Canadian football linebacker and is the linebackers coach for the Toronto Varsity Blues football team of U Sports.

Christopher Johnson

Toronto Varsity Blues
Date of birth	(1991-04-18) April 18, 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth	Toronto, Ontario
Career information
CFL status	National
Position(s)	Linebackers coach
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg)
US college	Toronto
High school	Pickering High School
CFL draft	2014 / round: 5 / pick: 44
Drafted by	Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Career history
As coach
2021–present	Toronto Varsity Blues (Linebackers coach)
As player
2014–2015	Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2015	Calgary Stampeders*
2017	Montreal Alouettes*
* Pre-season or practice roster only
Career stats
Playing stats at CFL.ca

Early career

Johnson played high school football at Pickering High School, where he was an all-star in 2009. From 2010 to 2013, he played college football for the Toronto Varsity Blues. During his time with the Varsity Blues, he recorded 91 tackles, five sacks, and one interception returned for a touchdown.^[1] He also played in the CIS East-West Bowl in 2013.^[2]

Professional career

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

At the CFL Regional Combine in Toronto, Johnson impressed scouts by recording a time of 4.74 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a vertical jump of 36 inches, and a broad jump of 118 inches. All three statistics were bests among the linebackers at the Toronto Combine.^[2][3] Johnson was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the fifth round of the 2014 CFL Draft with the 44th overall pick. He was placed on the practice squad before the start of the regular season.^[4] Making his CFL debut against the Edmonton Eskimos on September 20, Johnson eventually played in two games with the Tiger-Cats in their 2014 season and recorded two special teams tackles.^[2] He was re-signed by the Tiger-Cats on March 11, 2015.^[5] However, he was released during training camp on June 14, 2015.^[6]

Calgary Stampeders

Two days after being released, the Calgary Stampeders expressed immediate interest and signed Johnson on June 16, 2015.^[6][7] He was placed on the practice roster before the beginning of the regular season.^[8] He was released from the practice roster on August 10, 2015.^[6]

Montreal Alouettes

On December 21, 2016, Johnson signed with the Montreal Alouettes.^[9] However, he was released on May 1, 2017 and did not play in 2017.^[10]

Coaching career

Johnson joined the Toronto Varsity Blues in 2021 to serve as the team's linebackers coach.^[11]

References

1. "Christopher Johnson". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
2. "Christopher Johnson". Calgary Stampeders. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
3. "Toronto Regional Combine adds four players to National CFL Combine roster (RESULTS)". CFC. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
4. Michaels, Ted (14 July 2014). "Tiger-Cats make roster moves". AM900 CHML. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
5. Urciuoli, Anthony (11 March 2015). "Ticats sign two Canadian linebackers". AM900 CHML. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
6. "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
7. "Stamps sign Brown and Johnson". Calgary Stampeders. June 16, 2015.
8. Mingo, Rita (June 20, 2015). "Kick returner Cunningham hoping to build on rookie season". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
9. "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
10. "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
11. "2021 Football Coaching Staff". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved September 3, 2022.