NFL or Bust

As a high school athlete, Joshua "T-Boom" Johnson played quarterback and kicked a school-record 52-yard field goal. In college, he walked away from organized sports to pursue other things. Now, at age 38, he's training to make an NFL roster as a placekicker. Elite kickers like George Blanda and Morten Andersen have played well into their 40s, so becoming a rookie at 38 isn't as crazy as it might be for some other positions, but it's an uphill climb for any athlete. Joshua is chronicling his journey at NFLorBust.com. I spoke with Joshua by phone about his training and the NFL or Bust campaign.

Thanks for making time to speak with me. What is NFL or Bust about to you?

It's really about my full potential as an athlete and as a man. I've started analyzing my life, and what are my true abilities. Athleticism has always been a gift, and kicking has always been on my mind. At this time in my life, I resolved that I was going to go for it, I had to know that I have what it takes to be an elite athlete in life.

What inspired you to try to become the oldest rookie in league history?

Age really wasn't a factor. When I was in college at San Diego State, I was red-shirting. I wasn't really getting a shot, they had me at backup punter. Now the timing just seems right. Everybody's rallying behind me, and I'm in the best shape of my life. I would be the oldest in NFL history, I recently found that out. Seeing Brett Favre out there, Adam Vinatieri, I think there's another kicker who's 42, I think I could have a seven-year career. That's longer than most running backs.

How did people react when you told them you wanted to try out for an NFL roster at age 38?

A lot of my friends are athletes that I've played with over the years, and a lot of them were like, "What took you so long?" They never really doubted my abilities. With the people that know me best it was all about timing and not ability. For the people who don't know me, it's about the story. I've gotten that whole gamut of reactions, the naysayers going, "This guy's crazy, he's 38, no way," but really I've only heard one negative comment and it makes me even more motivated. The majority of the people are really supportive. I get messages from strangers on my Facebook page and Twitter account supporting me.

You were a placekicker in high school. When did you stop kicking?

I was a quarterback, and kicker and punter all through high school. When I got to San Diego, I red-shirted and walked on and I wasn't getting a shot at placekicker because they had a guy who was on scholarship. I'm an okay punter, but placekicking is really where my skill is. I got frustrated and started burning out on sports. I was interested in music and I wanted to pursue music as a hobby and I took music as a minor. I was pursuing music in life and wanted to move on and try other things.

Ever regret it? Have you always watched games and thought, "That could be me," or has that been more of a recent thing?

I've never regretted it, my dad was actually more upset than I was when I told him I wasn't going to continue. He was pretty bummed about it because he thought that I had a shot at the NFL, and parents want their kids to excel and be better than them. Over the years, I see these kickers melting down and missing 30-yarders and I can't fathom that. That actually happened at San Diego State, we lost by two points on national television, and our kicker missed three field goals in that game.

Last year in the NFL, it just seemed like so many guys were blowing these short kicks, like Nate Kaeding for the Chargers, that probably cost them a playoff win. Over the years it's kind of added up, that I have to try this, at least know one way or the other. I really started focusing on the mental aspect of kicking. All of these kickers in the NFL are capable of kicking 50- and maybe 60-yard field goals, but it comes down to the everyday kicks, can you always make the 30-yarders?

So there hasn't been a regret, just more adding up and being a fan of the game and thinking that I can do what these guys aren't doing.

I know it's a difficult subject, but you've indicated that the passing of your father is part of why you're doing this. What role has that played?

It's a motivation for me. I think when you do things for other people it becomes bigger and more meaningful. For me to say I want to be in the NFL, that's part of it, but it makes an extra motivation for me. If I'm tired and not feeling it that day, I'll think about my dad and it keeps me going. He was an inspiring guy for a lot of people, he was an elementary school principal. We both loved Porsches, and when I asked him, "Do you want to go to Germany, we'll drive on the Autobahn," he said, "I just want to say goodbye my to my friends." So we had this big party instead, and I just want to try to inspire others as he's inspired people in his life.

How is training going? What's your greatest on-field accomplishment since you started kicking again?

I've had so many cameras around me lately, and I was wondering how I was going to react to that. I've been welcoming it because of the pressure, I'm really proud of myself for how I've actually kicked in front of the cameras. I've kicked a couple of 50-yarders, and the other day my friend Rick said, "Josh, you make four 40-yarders in a row, I'll give you a c-note." And I did it, hit four in a row in front of the cameras and capped it off with a 50-yarder.

There's been quite a few [accomplishments] really, I'm really excited about it, I've stripped everything down and I'm taking two steps instead of the three that I took in high school, to get to the ball faster.

If you had to guess, what's your extra-point percentage right now?

That's gotta be 100%. I don't know how you miss something like that, you just gotta get your foot on the ball. I've been thinking back and I don't think I even missed any in high school. I mean, 20 yards, I'm not even really practicing those, maybe as no-step warmups just to swing my leg.

Some NFL teams use a kickoff specialist in addition to their regular field goal kicker. Would you like to do kickoffs, or mostly stick to field goals?

Yeah, I do want to do kickoffs, as well. I'm trying to bring the whole package to an NFL team. Kickoffs, field goals, backup punting ... I was also a quarterback in high school, and my accuracy is pretty good, so I bring that option for a trick play. I feel like I bring a package to the NFL. I bring creativity, leadership, obviously the physical ability as a kicker, maturity. I'm not some kid out of college with a seven-figure contract, I'm way more mature, and I have those leadership abilities from my time as a quarterback in high school.

If you do make a team, you'll be nearly a generation older than your fellow rookies. Do you think you might have trouble relating to athletes fresh out of college, or would you expect the chemistry to come pretty easily?

I think it'd come very easily. I have friends who are a lot of different ages, and one of my strengths as a person is my ability to relate to others. If you're in the NFL, you're an elite athlete, and you always have that common ground with your teammates. Something people need to understand about kickers, we're athletes and we're part of the team. The Raiders just re-signed Sebastian Janikowski for $16 million and the punter, Shane Lechler, as well. Kicking, special teams in general, is really on the minds of the NFL nowadays, you can't disregard it. I think relating to players of any age will be easy for me.

Is there any aspect of your game that you're worried about or see as a weakness? What would you most like to improve on right now?

The weakness I see myself having is my flexibility. I'm not as flexible as I used to be, my joints are older. Strength-wise, I'm already there, I'm bigger and stronger than I was in high school. My trainer is training me as an athlete, not as a kicker. I've gotta have a strong core, a flexible range of motion so I have access to all my strength. It's frustrating sometimes not being able to do things I know I used to be able to do, but I'm working hard on overcoming physical and mental obstacles. I know that physically, I can already can do what most NFL kickers can do.

I'm sure it's hard to estimate, but what do you think your chances are of making a roster? Have any teams expressed interest in having you at training camp?

That's so hard to say. I'd be surprised if I didn't make it. [pauses] I think it's 100%. There's no Plan B for me, I'm completely and totally focused on my body and mind, and it's NFL or bust. I'm not interested in playing in the Canadian Football League or the Arena Football League, it's the biggest stage in sports or nothing. I'm actually starting to look at who needs a kicker, which teams might be looking for one.

Who is your favorite current NFL player? Did you have a favorite growing up?

I liked Roger Staubach a lot. I was a Cowboys fan growing up, and I went to their training camp and got to see those guys up close. He was a quarterback and that's what I ended up being. Now, Brett Favre. I can't even imagine his dedication, I mean he's older than I am and last year had what I think was his best year ever. He's been a huge inspiration, and if he can be at the top of his game as a quarterback at 40, there's no reason I can't improve in the coming years. He's been a huge inspiration. Kicking-wise, I'm more of a fan of the game. I just like to see good games and people performing well. Seeing Janikowski kick a 61-yarder was fun. I'm a Michael Vick fan, and even with some of the stupid decisions he's made, I want to see him realize his full potential as an athlete.

Thanks for your time, Joshua. Good luck.

Some portions of this interview have been lightly edited. You can follow Joshua's story at NFLorBust.com.

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen passed away last week. Olsen was one of the greatest defensive tackles in history, and one of the game's true gentlemen. NFL Network did a great job of giving the man his due. If you're a fan of the game's history, or just appreciate the personal side of sports, check out these videos. They're not long, so if you have 10 minutes, you can watch Rosey Grier and Steve Sabol pay tribute to Olsen, plus check out a capsule on Olsen and his career.