It is bowl season again for Boise State football, which gives Broncos fans an excuse to reminisce about former star RB Ian Johnson – which isn’t to say that they or any college football fan needs one.
In the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against heavily favored Oklahoma, Johnson’s successful two-point conversion delivered Boise State a 43–42 upset for the ages. As if that wasn’t enough, Johnson proposed to his girlfriend, Broncos cheerleader Chrissy Popadics, in front of a national TV audience during the postgame. (She said yes.)
Johnson made headlines for his play as well, rushing for 6,030 yards and 58 TDs during his collegiate career.
That success in college never translated to the NFL, however. Between 2009 and 2011, the undrafted Johnson was a practice squad member with the Vikings, 49ers and Dolphins and did not land a roster spot for the 2012 season.
As such, Johnson returned to the Boise area, where he works as a motivational speaker on behalf of Kituku and Associates as well as an agent intern with State Farm Insurance in nearby Meridian.
Johnson’s alma mater faces Washington in the 2012 MAACO Bowl Las Vegas on Saturday night.
