Joe Johnson - A Man For All Seasons.

Business/Sports/Photo Editors

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2002

All-Pro Athlete, Entrepreneur and Community Activist Becomes First

African-American Defensive End to Ink Largest Self-Negotiated

Contract in the History of NFL Sports

In a move that could one day become a trend, Joe Johnson, former New Orleans Saints and two-time Pro Bowler, made history when he became the first African-American defensive end to sign the most lucrative self-negotiated deal with the Green Bay Packers. A six-year $33.5 million contract that included $6.5 million of bonus money.

Through his recently formed Viked Out Sports & Entertainment Company, Johnson used the skills gained from eight years under an agent to negotiate his contract with the Packers. "Our company's aim is to guide other professional athletes and entertainers in learning the skills that I developed during my time with an agent. It is very important for us as athletes and entertainers to understand the business aspects of our industries," said Johnson.

"Joe brings with him a dimension of experience, toughness and savvy, " said GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman. "I feel he is the most dominant defensive player in free agency this year and believe he will immediately impact our defense as a player and impact our team as a leader."

Johnson was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 2000. He has 21 sacks over the past two seasons and has registered 50.5 sacks during his NFL career and ranks fifth on the Saints' all-time list.

In the past 2001 season, the 30-year-old Johnson tied with three others for 10th place in the NFC with 9.0 sacks while also leading the Saints defensive line in total tackles with 65, including 49 unassisted stops.

Johnson has also been credited with career totals of 16 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries and 5 passes defensed. The St. Louis native was a first round selection in 1994 when he was the 13th player chosen in the NFL draft. Since joining the NFL in 1994, Johnson has amassed 400 career tackles, among them a career high 70 in 1998, the year he was named to the National Football Conference Pro Bowl squad for the first time.

In 2000, Johnson set career high sacks (12.5), forced fumbles (6) and fumble recoveries (2), becoming a Pro Bowl selection for the second time - as a starter - earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. He was also selected All-NFL first team recognition by Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association and Football News. Additionally, Johnson was named to the All-Madden Team and was the Saints' recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award by vote of his teammates.

Conversely, off the field his primary focus can be found in his newly formed corporation, Viked Out Entertainment, Inc., a multi-level enterprise in entertainment, sports, and education, and his non-profit organizations, Built 2 Last- The Joe Johnson Foundation and METI, the Music Entertainment Training Institute.

In 1999, Johnson formed Built 2 Last: The Joe Johnson Foundation to assist in community fundraising efforts and to helps others make their dreams and aspirations a reality by "giving back to underprivileged youth via a hands-on approach. The foundation, based in New Orleans, La. and St. Louis, Mo. grew out of Johnson's understanding of the struggles youth face as they attempt to define themselves, as well as his desire to give back to the community.

Johnson spearheads annual football camps in both cities. Built 2 Last camps blend athletic exercise and skills development to build confidence and motivation. With the support of colleagues in sports and entertainment, Johnson who personally organizes the camps, participates as coach, and brings in motivational speakers to talk to teens about setting goals and making wise choices for their futures.

"It is really amazing the work Joe does with the kids in this community," said Tom Sullivan, Vice-President Sports and Operations for Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club in St. Louis. "He takes time out each year to come back to his hometown and teach kids football and life skills, while having fun."

The concept of activities and events allows the participants to showcase their talents, provides them with information, and inspires personal development - specifically increasing self-esteem, self-assurance and the capacity for positive decision-making.

"The skills session and fundamental drills these kids are receiving is first-rate," said Michael Hawthorne, New Orleans defensive back and camp coach. "It would cost several thousand dollars to obtain the teaching these campers are receiving for little or no money. Joe deserves a lot of love for putting together a camp like this."

Johnson employs a hands-on approach in the foundation's activities, which number nearly 20 events annually. Since its inception, Built 2 Last has raised and donated tens-of-thousands of dollars to a variety of charities, including Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Boys and Girls Clubs; Boys To Men; Giving Back to the Hood; the NWA Rape Crisis "Real Men Don't Rape" Association; and the mentoring organization, The Benjamin Foundation.

While Built 2 Last's primary focus is working with urban youth in minority communities, the foundation recently augmented those efforts by raising funds for the Red Cross, the September 11th Fund, and the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, all in recognition of the World Trade Center tragedy.

Johnson will play his first regular-season game with the Green Bay Packers, September 8, 2002. Check your local listings for times and dates in your market or log-on to www.nfl.com for the season schedule.

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