Chapter 49
Johnson
TEN WEEKS LATER
The Bros Know Sports Podcast, Hosted by Bruce & Terry Crawford
Transcript of Interview
Bruce: We have a special treat here today, everyone. Former Alabama teammates, now Orlando Waves teammates—Johnson Samuels and Landon Battle. Welcome, gentleman.
Johnson: Great to be here.
Landon: It is, even under these circumstances.
Terry: Yeah, what a season for you all. It was a tough loss in the playoffs last week. How are you feeling today?
Landon: We’re bummed, no doubt. But these kinds of years make you ready for the next time you’re in this position.
Bruce: Yes, the Waves haven’t had a season like this in a decade. You’ve got to be proud.
Johnson: We are. And now we’ll focus on our goal for next year—winning a Super Bowl for the city of Orlando.
Terry: Johnson, this season, you had a lot of close games where you came out ahead by the skin of your teeth. And then last week, you lost in another close one.
Johnson: There were plenty of tight ones for sure.
I think it speaks to our will to win that we claimed victory in most of those.
The defense [gestures to Landon]—they were the heroes, keeping the other side from big scores, forcing turnovers.
And we found a way to score the field goal or touchdown we needed to go over the top. Just not last week.
Terry: What does that say about what you need to focus on this offseason?
Johnson: I leave that to the coaching staff and general manager’s office. They’ve shown they know how to pick young talent to change our team for the better.
Bruce: Injuries were a factor too, including your concussion that knocked you out for a few weeks. You’re healthy now?
Johnson: I am, and I’m glad I got to pick up where I started for the last few weeks, although Tony deserves kudos for winning most of the games when we were out. We followed the protocol, and I’m symptom free.
Terry: And Landon, a monster year for you. Your highest number of sacks yet in the NFL for a season. How does it feel?
Landon: It’s great, but it’s because our unit is so strong. I get my opportunities because of the team making plays at every position.
Terry: Appreciate that.
Landon: And going back to what Johnson was saying, he’s being too modest. He’s had to juggle some difficult scenarios with the injuries and everything. He’s a complete gamer, leading us to these wins. A once in a generation type quarterback in the making.
Johnson: If we win Super Bowls, that is. [everyone laughs]
Bruce: Bailey Watkins was here about a month ago, and Landon, he talked about the special chemistry in the locker room because of the friendship that you and Johnson have. That the two of you unite the offense and defense in a unique way because of your bond. Can you talk about that?
Landon: Sure, and I’ve said it many times. I’m so lucky to have this guy by my side. Next year will be our seventh year playing on the same team, counting our time at Alabama. We’ve been through so much shit together on and off the field.
Johnson: To be honest, I feel like I’m the lucky one. There’s nothing like playing with your best friend.
Landon: I’m the better looking one though, right? [everyone laughs]
Landon: But yeah, we know the value of having a united front. And we make sure all the guys feel that as a team. Off the field, we’re one big family. I had everyone over for Thanksgiving—
Johnson: My mom baked the turkey, just to clarify.
Landon: Yeah, thank god for that. I’m no cook. And then Johnson hosted the New Years Eve party for all of us.
Johnson: [Looking into the camera] We skipped the champagne, Coach Houston. [everyone laughs]
Landon: Those off-field moments together are huge.
Terry: One more question before you go. Johnson, you made a bunch of headlines last week when you helped to open a new program in Orlando for children whose parents are struggling with alcohol addiction. The rumors are that you donated fifteen million? Is that true?
Johnson: It is. I have a lot of…dedication to the cause, helping these kids. Some things are more important than money.
Landon: Proud of him for giving back in the community that way.
Bruce: As you should be. Well, thanks to you both, and we look forward to seeing how far the Waves go next year.
Landon: As do we [winks].
“Thanks, guys, we’re off the air,” Terry says over the video link. Landon and I are in one of the rooms the Waves PR team uses for remote interviews.
“Hopefully that gave you what you needed,” I say to him as Landon begins taking off the earbuds in rapid fashion. I know why he’s hurrying, so I cover with Terry.
“It was great. We’ll have you back in the preseason?”
“For sure.”
When we’re disconnected from the show link, I turn to my best friend. “Excited to go see Rori now?”
He shoots me a big smile. “Yes, Australia, here I come.” Rori’s tennis season has started down under, and with all our post-season duties done this week, Landon’s going to meet her.
“Say hello for us. We’ll take good care of Grover.”
“Thanks, J. It means a lot that Grace and you will take him at your house.”
“No worries. The kids love him.”
Emma and Leo can’t wait to have Grover to themselves. I haven’t told anyone my secret, but once the court approves the agreement to give Lainie full custody, I plan to buy the kids a dog. Maybe two.
We have plenty of room at the house after all.
“Alright, I’m off. See you in a few weeks.” Landon gives me a quick hug and begins marching out of the room, saying goodbye to Molly as he hands her all the tech pieces we used for the interview.
I don’t have to rush as much, so I take the time pulling out the earpiece and pulling the mic from my shirt.
As Molly walks over to me, she holds out her hand so I can give her the items. “You’re not totally done, Johnson. Coach Houston was hoping you could come to his office.”
I’m not sure what that will be about, but it’ll be nice to say goodbye before the offseason starts. Grace’s early days of training at Fairview Elite are going so well that she’s entering several meets this spring. I’ll be traveling to support her, so I may not make it to the facility too often.
The awesome thing is her new boss, Milo, is entirely supportive, saying her experience as an athlete is only going to help her connect better with clients.
When I walk into Coach’s office a few minutes later, Marshall is there too, sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk.
“Ah, Johnson. Your locker cleared out for the year?” Coach asks.
I nod and take a seat in the other guest chair. “Yeah, I just finished my last interview planned for a bit too.”
“Great,” Coach says. “So you’re probably wondering why we asked to meet.”
Marshall chimes in. “It’s nothing bad, but we wanted to get your insights.”
“Okay, absolutely.”
“We’ve decided not to re-sign Paul Graves,” Marshall explains. “He was already starting to slow down, and it’s not worth the cap hit from his salary to roll the dice on another year.”
Unfortunately, that’s the NFL for you. You can be an All Pro wide receiver one year, but out the next if you can’t perform.
“I understand.” I wonder where this is going?
“We’re going to need depth at wide receiver if we’re going to make that Super Bowl run,” he adds.
Coach jumps in then. “So we’ve been talking to the general manager’s team about draft options.”
Ah.
“Can you tell us everything you know about Rawley Battle?”