CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
An already surreal week for D'Ernest Johnson was made even more surreal on Wednesday when the Cleveland Browns running back was voted the NFL FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
Having entered the season as Cleveland's third-string running back, Johnson earned the honor after filling in for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who each missed the Browns' Week 7 matchup vs. the Denver Broncos due to calf injuries. In what marked the first start of his NFL career, the third-year running back rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, including a game-clinching eight-yard run in Cleveland's 17-14 win on Thursday Night Football.
Johnson's effort in primetime has earned him cult hero status, thanks in no small part to his unique journey to unlikely stardom. Prior to signing with the Browns ahead of the 2019 season, the University of South Florida product spent time working on a fishing boat and even once sent a direct message on Instagram in hopes of landing a job in the Alliance of American Football (AAF).
"I never lost trust in the process. Coming from a fishing boat, I always dreamed of playing in the NFL," Johnson said following the game on Thursday. "Even when playing in the AAF, I always dreamed of playing here in the league. Being able to be on this team is a blessing. It is always a dream come true to be able to be here. To be able to start and come out here and help the team win, that is the best feeling.”
With Chubb hopeful to return to the lineup for the Browns' Week 8 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, it appears that Johnson will be returning to his reserve role. Should that happen, however, Johnson will become Cleveland's No. 2 running back as Hunt remains on injured reserve for at least the next two weeks.
“Do you think he earned it?" Stefanski asked rhetorically on Wednesday. "Yeah, he is our No. 2 .”