NASHVILLE – Back in 2008, Chris Johnson wasn't sure what to think when he was drafted by the Titans.
An Orlando native, Johnson had never been to Tennessee. He'd played college football at East Carolina, and envisioned his new home would take some getting used to.
"I thought I was going to be in the middle of nowhere, around a bunch of country singers," Johnson said with a smile. "I didn't know how Tennessee would be. People that have never been to Tennessee think it's a country place with nothing going on. People don't know until they actually go to Tennessee and see for themselves."
Johnson ended up playing six of his 10 NFL seasons in Tennessee.
He fell in love with the city, and fans fell in love with him.
This weekend, Johnson will return to Nashville with his family when he's officially inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024.
"It's special," Johnson said. "I love Tennessee. I come back all the time. The city embraced me, the fans loved me. Everyone around the city – and the whole state, for that matter – embraced me. Nashville, and Tennessee, will always be my second home. It will aways be a place come to.
"I love the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee. No matter where I am, I always seem to run into somebody from Tennessee and they are so nice to me. To be going into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, it means a lot to me."
The Titans drafted the speedy running back in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
In 10 NFL seasons, including from 2008-2013 with the Titans, Johnson rushed for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns, while adding another 2,255 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
Johnson had 1,742 carries for 7,965 yards and scored 58 touchdowns in 95 games for the Titans in his career.
In 2009, Johnson ran for 2,006 yards with the Titans while setting a single-season NFL record with 2,509 yards from scrimmage. He was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, along with first-team All-Pro.
It was the time of his life, Johnson said.
"I was 21 years old when I first got there," said Johnson, who is now 38. "I grew up there, in Tennessee, learned a lot, learned how to be on my own. I went from not having money, to having money and learning what I wanted to do with it. There was some maturing going on. It was a whole lot of growing up.
"And I loved playing football. I had some great teammates, great coaches. I have so many great memories."
This weekend, Johnson will joined by his mom and dad, his twin sons (12) and daughter (6), along with his brothers, among others, back in Tennessee. Several of his former Titans teammates are expected to be on hand, including running back LenDale White and linebacker Keith Bulluck.
Johnson said it's quite an honor to be recognized by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and he hopes to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one point.
"Hopefully, that happens, too," Johnson said. "I just want to keep making those steps, and hopefully it will happen when the time is right. I really do think it's going to happen one day."
