In 1986, the New York Giants drafted linebacker Thomas Johnson in the second round from Ohio State.  Thomas, better known as “Pepper” Johnson, was notorious for putting black pepper on his breakfast cereal.

The name stuck with him his whole life.

Johnson was a damn good player.  A two time pro bowl linebacker who loved to hit you in the mouth, while filling a hole.   He was big, nasty, and athletic. He played seven great seasons for the Giants and was a member of both the Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV winning teams, under head coach Bill Parcells and assistant coach Bill Belichick .

In 1993, Johnson left the Giants and rejoined his defensive coordinator Bill Belichick to play linebacker for the Cleveland Browns .  Belichick at time had been in his third season as the team’s head coach.

Three years later, neither Belichick nor Johnson followed the Browns when they moved to Baltimore following the 1995 season. Pepper decided to made a quick stop over in Detroit until making his final move in 1997.

With Johnson’s career winding down, Pepper strapped on the pads one more time and connected with his old friend and mentor Bill Belichick, now the defensive coordinator of the New York Jets.

After the 1998 season, Johnson retired from the NFL with career totals of 25.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 14 interceptions, and over 1,200 tackles.  That’s a fantastic average of 100 tackles a year!

Once Johnson hung up his spikes, the former competitive player branched out into coaching.  Of course, Johnson’s coaching career started with the New England Patriots under the new head coach—Bill Belichick.

Nine years later, Thomas “Pepper” Johnson has played on two Superbowl teams and has coached three more. Proving he belongs, Johnson and the Pats have sent 10 defensive players to the Pro Bowl over the last nine years under the careful watch of Thomas Johnson.

With a lot of hardware to show, it’s easy to see that Belichick believes there’s something special in Johnson. Pepper brings passion.  A great candidate!

In the next few weeks, the New York Giants need to put a little fire and spice into the Big Blue defense and bring Thomas “Pepper” Johnson home as the new Giants defensive coordinator.