Michael Johnson Performance Produces a Program Record Five First-Round Draft
Picks
Olympian's NFL Combine Preparation Camp Trains Top Running Back for Second
Straight Year
DALLAS, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- As the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft drew
to a close today, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Record Holder Michael
Johnson had reason to be proud. His nationally ranked NFL Combine and Pro Day
training camp produced a program best five first-round picks, including the
Draft's overall No. 10 pick, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree (San
Francisco 49ers). And for the second straight year, Johnson trained the
Draft's No. 1 running back - Georgia's Knowshon Moreno, selected 12th overall
by the Denver Broncos. (Last year, Johnson trained Arkansas' Darren McFadden,
selected fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders.)
"Michael's approach to training was different from anything I'd experienced
before, and it clearly paid off for me today," Moreno said. "Having someone of
his stature working with me hands-on, every day is an amazing experience, and
I really appreciate his support and faith in me. I know the things I learned
there will continue to benefit my career for many years to come."
Other Johnson "alumni" selected in today's first round were tight end Brandon
Pettigrew (Oklahoma State, No. 20 by the Detroit Lions); offensive tackle
Michael Oher (Ole Miss, No. 23 by the Baltimore Ravens); and defensive tackle
Peria Jerry (Ole Miss, No. 24 by the Atlanta Falcons).
"Preparing these young men for the NFL Combine and the Draft is a complex
process crammed into a few short weeks," Michael Johnson said. "These guys
worked hard and entrusted us to prepare them for one of the most important
moments in their career. Our entire staff is proud and gratified to know that
we were all successful and that all of our hard work has paid off."
Each January, the Michael Johnson Performance Center (MJPC) welcomes an elite
group of college football players for a 6-week training program that prepares
the athletes for the physical and mental tests they will face at the NFL
Scouting Combine and/or their university's respective Pro Days. In addition,
the MJPC staff offers interview skills training, physical therapy and
nutrition counseling.
NFL sports agent Sean Howard, who represents Brandon Pettigrew, suggested
Johnson's program to his client because of its training expertise, facilities
and location. He also stressed that because of increased NFL evaluation of
Combine performance - both physical and mental - specialized training programs
like the one offered by MJPC are a must for any top prospect.
"I had complete confidence in Michael and his staff because they understand
that it takes more than great football skills to succeed in the NFL." Howard
said. "While their training program targets Combine preparation, they also
train these young men for life as a professional athlete on the national
stage."
About Michael Johnson Performance
Since his retirement from competitive track and field in 2001, Olympic Gold
Medalist and World Record Holder Michael Johnson has used the training and
competition philosophy he developed during his career to help more than 50 top
draft prospects prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine including Ladainian
Tomlinson, Tony Romo, Roy Williams, Eli Manning, Alex Smith, Mark Colombo,
Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. In 2007, Johnson founded the Michael Johnson
Performance Center, a state-of-the-art sports performance training center at
Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. The center, sponsored by Nike, helps both
aspiring youth athletes and elite/professional athletes reach their athletic
potential by improving speed, power, agility, strength and conditioning. For
more information, visit www.michaeljohnsonperformance.com.
SOURCE Michael Johnson Performance
Kristin Kelly, +1-214-232-9872, kristinbret@yahoo.com
