The Canadian Football League finally has concrete plans to return after their one-year hiatus. The regular season is set to begin on Thursday, August 5th, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders home opener set for the second night of the Week 1 schedule against the BC Lions.

For all we know no one has waited for their CFL debut longer than Kayden Johnson, but at the same time, perhaps nobody is more prepared for their first CFL season considering the circumstances. Johnson signed his first professional contract with the BC Lions this March after almost nearly a year after he had been drafted, and he is pumped with how everything has played out.

From One Pride To Another: Johnson Ready for Opportunity with CFL's Lions

One major theme to Kayden’s off-season was the fact he still managed to compete. Johnson already knew the physical benefits of his special training, but staying active in the bobsled environment also helped improve his competitive edge headed into the season. This is especially true with the lack of intense competition likely being seen across the CFL’s idle talent.

"It Played Out Pretty Nice"; Kayden Johnson Comments on Impressive Off-Season

“I feel like that’s another edge I have going into the season,” explained Johnson, “Some guys who haven’t had a season, you have to get back into that ‘we are playing, and this sport is intense for real’. I was able to get that with bobsled this off-season; so I’m just fired up and ready to go and I know I can bring that intensity as soon as the ball is kicked off.”

Many in the Lions organization are wondering what the extended bobsled training may have done for Johnson’s game on the gridiron, as the 2020 7th round pick represents a unique piece for BC. Being a national player along with the athlete that he is gives Kayden the chance to make an impact right when he steps on the field, as long as he is given the opportunity.

(Photo via BCLions.com)

His first shot at earning that place on the field begins in a couple of weeks when the Lions invade Kamloops for training camp. The forecast is calling for regular temperatures of +40, but that is just adding to Johnson’s eagerness to get to work.

“It’s going to be a hot three weeks there on the turf in Kamloops,” said Johnson, “But it’s in the mountains, I love the mountains, and I can’t wait to just get out there and fly around with all these other amazing athletes and learn.”

One of his longtime dreams will come true when he takes the field for his CFL debut, but Johnson just recently had another one come true in the form of a partnership. Like many athletes, Johnson knows exactly what he is putting in his body, and his ability to secure his name next to a nutrition supplement is something that represents all of his hard work done in the gym.

(@JamrockJohnson on Instagram)

“I’ve found that my diet is just so vital to myself as an athlete, but also as a person.”

His current schedule sees him practicing out of the Lions facility in Surrey, BC four days a week, and getting to know the trainers and staff that should be there guide him come camp time.

Johnson obviously makes sure his body is taken care of in the weight room, but he knows keeping ones mental and spiritual health up is just as important. As previously noted he loves the atmosphere of the mountains, and in a similar setting to their time at York University in Toronto, Kayden has been again spending lots of time with his brother Kolby of the TWU Spartans men’s hockey program.

“It’s just the best of both worlds, having family close like that,” explained Johnson, “You just gotta make the most out of each day.”

Living with his girlfriend and navigating his athletics together with Kolby has been an amazing opportunity, that is being extended through to his youngest brother Carter come the fall when he moves to Vancouver and joins on with the Douglas College baseball team. Kayden hopes adding another brother to the mix will just increase the family’s affinity for their situation in the mountains.

“It’s very refreshing to be out here, and then in the fall when Carter comes out that will be so cool too.”

With so much going on amongst the trio of brothers, one can only wonder what their mother thinks of her boys athletic situation. Thankfully Mrs. Johnson is the perfect one for the case, not being afraid to replace her role as a mom with a coaching one every once in awhile. She has always been great at balancing the two parts thanks to her commitment to her kids, and work as a gym teacher at Kindersley Composite School in a past-year that also saw her take home the regional award for SHSAA Female Coach of the Year.

“She’s just a huge inspiration in my life and always brings me motivation. She is one of the reasons that I continued to play football actually.” recounted Johnson, “Her passion for the game and athletic development at a young age is so immense, that I was just able to have so many opportunities.”

One funny connection that Johnson made after being drafted by the Lions has to do with his mother’s motivation. She was a driving force behind him signing up for the Kelly Bates football camp in Grades 9, 10, 11; fast forward all these years and Kelly Bates is working with Johnson as a coach for the BC Lions as he enters his rookie year.

(Photo via LCBI High School on Facebook)

Strapping on the pads and getting back on the football field is something that Johnson has waited a long time for, not to even mention his long wait to officially turn pro. Nothing is a guarantee as two years worth of draft classes will attempt to crack their respective rosters, but as mentioned Johnson’s head start this off-season with bobsledding already has the 25 year old running back geared up and ready for the late season start.

Not only is he physically ready after his summer training, but his team first mindset is locked in after numerous training passes with his bobsled mates. This unusually effective team building technique is just one part of his training he shared with the students of D’Arcy School earlier in the year.

D’Arcy Principal Proud to Provide a Special Guest

This isn’t the only thing that came out in speaking athletics with Johnson, as he mentioned his tendency to have tunnel-vision when focusing on his current sport. Training with a team, as an individual, in an Olympic type atmosphere certainly helped him keep his head in the game unlike so many others.

“When I’m committed to something then it becomes my favourite. I find I need that passion and that edge, to be able to go all in.”

No doubt football is his passion, but when asked about his favorite sport he just had to choose track. He is known as a hurdler but to be specific he chose the 100m sprint, the event where he personally feels the fastest, comparing himself to a certain cat on the savanna.

(BC Lions)

What this means is that when Johnson gets his first opportunity with the ball on a CFL field to be a cheetah, he better be ready to run like a lion.