Monday, July 13, 2009

Former Utah quarterback Brian Johnson, who is the cover boy for EA Sports College Football 10 game, will have an autograph session Tuesday at Play N Trade (2723 West, 3500 South) from 4-6 p.m.

Johnson, a self-proclaimed fan of the game, found out in January he was going to be on the cover.

"It's not every day you get to be on the cover," he said. "I thought this would be something fun to do. There is a buzz about it every single year it comes out."

Johnson recently was drafted by the New York team of the United Football League, a new league that will debut this fall with teams in Las Vegas, Orlando and San Francisco in addition to New York.

(Other former Utes in the UFL are offensive linemen Jason Boone and Gabe Long who will play for Las Vegas.)

"It's a chance for me to go out and keep playing football," Johnson said. "You never know what might happen, there are a lot of guys who don't get drafted but get to the NFL playing in these leagues. You have to give yourself a shot."

Johnson said he'll head out to New York in September, which will be just his second visit to the city. His first was for the EA Sports party for the release of the game.

"It's a great city, I really enjoyed it," he said.

In the meantime he promised to haunt Utah's practices when they start Aug. 5 and make sure his former teammates are working hard.

"I'll just be there as a fan," he said.

A fan who could give the Utes plenty of great advice on how to stay focused, win under pressure and win the big games!