Duke Johnson, who is ‘Miami through and through,’ appreciates chance to play for Dolphins
Duke Johnson: Miami native, Norland High alumnus, Miami Hurricanes standout and now... Miami Dolphins running back.
After being added to the Dolphins’ practice squad in late October, Johnson finally got to suit up for his hometown team on Sunday — and was on the field for parts of the Dolphins’ decisive fourth-quarter drive in their 24-17 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Three of Johnson’s four carries came as part of Miami’s 12-play, 45-yard drive that ate up nearly seven minutes of the clock and ended with a Jason Sanders field goal to give the Dolphins a 10-point lead with less than two minutes left in the game.
Pretty big responsibility in his first game action with the team.
“Just doing my job,” said Johnson, who is in his seventh NFL season after starting his career with the Cleveland Browns (2015-2018) and Houston Texans (2019-2020). “Really just doing what they ask, whether it’s special teams, practice squad. Just doing my job and not complaining because I know everything that I do helps the team win, whether I’m in the game or not.”
And it didn’t take long for Johnson to reflect on the opportunity to play for the Dolphins, the team he has been following since he started playing football.
He went to high school less than 2 miles from Hard Rock Stadium. His home games during his preps career were about a 15-minute drive away at Traz Powell Stadium and then stayed home to play three seasons for the Miami Hurricanes before being selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
“I’m anything Miami,” Johnson said. “Heat, Marlins, Panthers, Dolphins. I’m a Miami guy. Miami through and through.”
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