Big Hits & Big Plays: C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s Top Career Moment

C.J. Gardner-Johnson has made a name for himself in the NFL with his fiery playstyle, versatility, and knack for creating game-changing moments.

[{"selector":"#anim-f94bc73e-2d1e-4b93-a78f-eb073a8f33a0","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -286.84808%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -80.661680096%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -27.422676448%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -10.297846072%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -4.474830047999999%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f11d248e-4fce-46d2-a76f-bc8a746ddbd1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.030504158305412%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

From his early days with the New Orleans Saints to his impact with the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions, he has consistently been a defensive playmaker.

[{"selector":"#anim-8b6b7c14-db50-4118-aad5-722c1ec7ccea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-09357cc3-bf00-409e-96fc-7d836a3aaf68 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.50337520102511%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

One of his most memorable moments came in 2020 when he baited Chicago Bears wide receiver Javon Wims into throwing punches, leading to an ejection and a crucial penalty.

[{"selector":"#anim-e6236ab2-a55d-4c49-a006-6d2be54c3b06","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-935ccd69-ff82-4c80-b730-998257a70266","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.66666%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa2812f7-9cd1-40ab-afae-7445616b1220 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

In 2022, while with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson played a key role in their dominant defense, recording a league-leading six interceptions in just 12 games, helping Philadelphia reach Super Bowl LVII.

[{"selector":"#anim-b1dacd5f-49a4-4901-baf2-c25e3ca223bc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-446493b0-dc6a-4ec7-9d19-da5194b76e4c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -259.22705%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07c05b8a-234f-4985-8e63-6f8de798ba96 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

His clutch performances, including a crucial pick against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, showcased his ball-hawking skills.

[{"selector":"#anim-d1932845-70a9-4305-9d6d-f38f1a7fbf00","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ee89bf9-6466-4e09-ae84-e88937ac0e8a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 224.67625%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-05aa5afa-fb37-4c33-bf0d-98909cdf0323 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-39.5770804600171%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

After signing with the Lions in 2023, he continued his high-energy play, making key stops and providing leadership in the secondary.

[{"selector":"#anim-dd462b51-fe9e-41b1-8859-a1c594a94d85","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-1099342f-f930-499c-bf4e-48ab0c31e521 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.733050590983417%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Whether delivering big hits, forcing turnovers, or rattling opponents with his intense energy, Gardner-Johnson has proven to be a defensive force and a game-changer,

[{"selector":"#anim-709c200e-8456-49c7-bbf5-6fc3eaa800e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.66666%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-846df5ca-180f-4123-b380-7a47f7cb214a","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(-180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac625535-06db-4cec-81fe-0d987f0e9d28 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

leaving his mark with some of the most unforgettable moments in recent NFL history.

[{"selector":"#anim-3ec9c904-4558-4509-9f92-3923bebcd4ad","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-361f68b3-abfd-401d-a0ce-a3237a4fbd73 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-37.03751199280719%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

[{"selector":"#anim-b0f2b390-8409-48db-a73b-8aaf238cc659 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.299866907804912%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] stay connected Learn more