The Berlin Rebels have re-signed the heart of their defense, middle linebacker Rory Johnson for his eighth season with the team.
Sports Director Dogan Özdincer:
“Rory is the heart of our defense! A constant who is indispensable to us. Rory has repeatedly proven his loyalty and is following our common aim. Rory has been growing and developing every season for nine years and is demanding of himself. Rory’s leadership skills are off the chart which is one of the most important factors on defense. For us as coaches, he is indispensable.”
The 32 year old Johnson, a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has spent seven seasons playing middle linebacker for the Rebels (he played one season for the Berlin Adler). He has amassed 609 tackles, 117 tackles for loss and 53 sacks in that time. At 6’1″, 245 lb, he was a JUCO All American at Hinds Community College before transferring to the University of Mississippi. He played one season for the Ole Miss Rebels recording 94 tackles and attracting the attention of the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. He stayed with Green Bay through preseason and caught on with the Giants as a practice squad player. He signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2009.
Photo: frtp.de photography
In his first season with the Rebels, 2010, he was the second leading tackler in the German Football League with 123 tackles. He has consistently been one of the top 10 tacklers in the league ever since.
A teammate of two NFL first round draft picks at Ole Miss, Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers) and Michael Oher (Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans), Johnson has a word of advice for young players:
“If I can tell a young guy anything, it would not give up on your dreams, grind hard and keep your head high. “
Check out Rory Johnson highlights from 2018
Check Rory Johnson highlights from 2017
