When Patrick Johnson steps onto the field for Super Bowl LVII on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, the 25-year-old Chattanooga native plans to take in every special moment at the game that will cap his second NFL season.
To reach the biggest stage of professional football means everything to Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 248-pound linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles who graduated from Notre Dame High School in 2017, went on to become Tulane University's all-time leader in sacks and was selected in the final round of the 2021 draft.
Now a football dream shared by Johnson and his late father Kevin has reached its grandest moment yet.
"This has been unreal and just a crazy ride," Johnson told the Times Free Press this week. "I have talked to my mom (Leah) on the phone every day lately, and the Super Bowl comes up every single time. If my dad was here, I know he would be super proud of me. He is my inspiration. This is something we always shared since I started playing around 6. We are both such big football guys and shared such a love for this game together.
"If he was here, I know he would be taking in all the moments like I am for sure."
The Eagles (16-3) will meet the Kansas City Chiefs (16-3) at 6:30 p.m. Eastern. Fox will televise the game, but the Johnson family will be well represented at State Farm Stadium. Sure to be providing the loudest cheers for Philadelphia's No. 48 will be Johnson's sisters Devyn and Mackenzie, along with his mother, aunt, girlfriend, cousins and two lifelong friends.
"To have the blessing to play for a Super Bowl in my second year is amazing," Johnson said. "Some guys go their whole careers without even winning a game or two in the playoffs. Being a part of this team and having a significant role has been crazy. I am soaking it all in. I am sure it will really hit me when I step out on the biggest stage in football Sunday."
Johnson is the fourth player in Notre Dame High School history to play in the NFL. The first was the late Pat McHugh, who had 16 interceptions and was a two-way playmaker for the Eagles from 1947-51.
Kareem Orr won a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams last season and was teammates in high school with Johnson for the Fighting Irish.
Philadelphia's defense has been one of the best in the NFL all season. In 19 games in the regular season and the playoffs, the Eagles have allowed a mere 290 yards per game, which includes holding the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers to 227 and 164 yards, respectively, and seven points apiece in blowout victories to reach the Super Bowl.
Opposing quarterbacks have thrown for an average of just 171 yards per game against Philadelphia, and the average is even better over the past three games at 116 yards. The Eagles' pass rush has been extra special, and now the target of their pressure will be Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who on Thursday night was named NFL MVP for the second time.
Johnson was on the field for 20% of Philadelphia's 45 defensive plays in the NFC championship game against the 49ers as well as nearly 75% of the Eagles' special teams plays. He generated a highlight in the 31-7 win by tackling Deebo Samuel — the receiver was running the ball on that play — for a 4-yard loss.
In the regular season, Johnson had three quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery while appearing in 16 of the team's 17 games.
"I go out there every day and play as hard as I can," said Johnson, who grew up an Atlanta Falcons fan. "I made a couple of big plays in the NFC championship, especially on that big tackle for loss. That play and a few others around that time really sealed the deal. I feel like that's when San Francisco really folded."
The series after Johnson's big tackle for loss, the Eagles went on a 15-play, 91-yard touchdown drive and took a commanding 28-7 lead on quarterback Jalen Hurts' 1-yard touchdown run with 43 seconds left in the third quarter.
Johnson has felt the love from Philadelphia's passionate fans, and now he hopes to help deliver the franchise's second Super Bowl victory. The Eagles lost their first two Super Bowl appearances before beating the New England Patriots 41-33 in February 2018, but few members of that championship roster remain.
He also hopes he can become the Chattanooga area's latest former prep star to get his hands on the Lombardi Trophy. Red Bank's Keionta Davis, who also played at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, was with the Patriots when they beat the Rams at Super Bowl LII in Atlanta four years ago.
Orr brought the Super Bowl celebration back to the Scenic City a year ago, hosting a party that included a replica of the Lombardi. Johnson might have something similar in mind.
"You can't play any football game bigger than this," he said. "We have to execute and remember to have a good time. We have all been playing this game for a long time. It's important to live in the moment. Hopefully I can bring the trophy back home and celebrate when I get back to Chattanooga."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.