‘Just seemed like the right place’: KeeSean Johnson relishing Riders opportunity

KeeSean Johnson just wanted to continue playing football – and that goal has led him to Saskatchewan and the Roughriders.

“I wanted to come out and play the game of football, and have a better chance right now to play the game of football and show I still can play the game at a high level,” the 27-year-old receiver said during training camp at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

While his name may sound similar to Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson’s, he isn’t named after him, though they have met before.

“We were talking throughout the agent process coming out of college. We are still in contact and say little things here and there. Not named after him – my dad just liked the name,” Johnson said.

But, Johnson said, one of his biggest supporters is another NFL receiver – Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Adams and Johnson are both from the same area, and while they both attended Palo Alto High School the pair never truly getting a chance to play together. Adams was a senior in high school when Johnson was a freshman, and the two didn’t cross paths at Fresno State.

“We’ve known each other all our lives and (he’s) a good family friend of mine,” Johnson said. “We’ve always known each other and had the same goal in mind. It’s just something we have always worked for, and he kind of pushed me to keep going and more and more as the years go on.”

Johnson said having a high-calibre NFL player in his corner has helped him elevate his game.

“It just helps you grow and become the player you want to become,” he said.

Johnson enjoyed plenty of success at Fresno State with the Bulldogs. During his five seasons there – redshirted as a freshman – he compiled 275 catches for 3,463 yards and 24 touchdowns. He is the program’s all-time leader in catches and receiving yards.

“When I was there, I took some of the things for granted just because I was having success playing a game. I didn’t think about it. I kind of just was playing the game, having fun with my teammates and trying to win,” Johnson said.

“I went through the worst season there and the best season there. I was just trying to win. Now you reflect on things and I’m trying to get back to that player and show that I am still him and can still do those things.”

Johnson was taken in the sixth round (174th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. While there, he got to learn from one of the game’s greats, receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Johnson said he admires Fitzgerald’s work ethic, dedication to the game, and his ability to take care of his body both on and off the field.

“He does everything the right way and is a great guy to learn from, and I learned pretty much everything (including that) everything is not in your control,” Johnson said. “Go out and control what you can control, and everything will fall into place.”

After two years in Arizona, Johnson bounced around the NFL with stops on the practice rosters of the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills.

One of the biggest things he saw in the NFL was the level of competition.

“There’s always someone that’s trying to take your job. It breeds competition, but it breeds winners,” Johnson said.

But with no more NFL opportunities presented to him, it was a call with the Riders’ new head coach Corey Mace that brought him to the Green and White.

“Just meeting him and meeting coach (Marc) Mueller and meeting the GM and the owners and stuff, it just seemed like the right place,” Johnson said.

Now in his first CFL camp, Johnson said he’s realizing just how much talent makes it to the league.

“There’s good players everywhere. You never underestimate anything, no matter where you came from. I have to come out here and prove myself just the same way I had to do to get into the NFL,” Johnson said.

While he is 27 and just competed in his first preseason game, Johnson doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.

“I don’t look too much into running out of chances. I still feel good and I’ve always took care of my body and made sure I’m doing the things I have to do on and off the field, so I still feel good,” Johnson said.

“I still feel young and still feel I can play some years, so I’m just going to go out there and prove it to everyone here, my teammates and coaches included.”

The Riders’ second preseason game is on Saturday against the Edmonton Elks. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m.