In Play with Passion, Bucs QB Brad Johnson discusses the obstacles he overcame in pursuit of his goals
Husband. Father. Philanthropist. NFL Quarterback. Pro Bowler. Super Bowl Champion.
Now you can add 'Author' to Brad Johnson's list of accomplishments.
Johnson, the two-time Pro Bowl passer who helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII, has just released a children's book entitled Play with Passion. To promote the release and further the message of his book, Johnson will hold an autograph session at a Tampa Barnes & Noble bookstore on Saturday, June 12, from 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Johnson's autobiographical account offers intimate details of his childhood and his development into a successful adult who is passionate about his pursuits. Johnson's message is that people with character go through life fueled by a deep passion carrying them through all life's ups and downs.
"It talks about being true to yourself, having passion and having fun in whatever you are doing," said Johnson of Play with Passion. "But, you have to overcome obstacles and that is what it's about."
In creating his book, Johnson worked with Positively for Kids, publisher of athlete-authorized autobiographies for kids ages 9-14. Other athletes who will publish books in the same series this year include the Toronto Raptors' Vince Carter and the Los Angeles Dodgers Eric Gagne.
Johnson had a blast reliving his path to Super Bowl glory.
"It brought back a lot of memories of a lot of people who affected my life," he said. "Not just my parents, but my teachers. High school coaches, the people that kind of gave me a second chance, a third chance. Sometimes it takes that. Obviously, you have to be good and work hard at whatever you do, but sometimes you need people and a great supporting cast around you."
Kids will also get a kick out of the books photos.
"There are some funny pictures," Johnson admitted. "I think some people will get a kick out of (them). My picture day in the sixth grade I was in my Dukes of Hazard's t-shirt and my mom was pretty upset about it."
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Brad Johnson will hold an autograph session for his new children's book, Play with Passion on Saturday, June 12 at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Carrollwood. The store is located at 11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618. The autograph session will run from 12:00-2:00 p.m.
