Gardner-Johnson was known as Chauncey Gardner Jr. prior to his junior year at Florida. On December 31, 2017, he announced he changed his last name to Gardner-Johnson in honor of his stepfather, Brian Johnson.[2][3] Gardner-Johnson's biological father, Chauncey Gardner Sr., has been a part of his life, but Johnson had raised Gardner-Johnson from the time he was a toddler until he went off to college.[1]
In both 2020 and 2023, Gardner-Johnson posted his intention to legally change his name to Ceedy Duce on Instagram. Despite this, he has yet to formally change his name to Ceedy Duce. In 2020, he stated "Officially changing my name to Ceedy Duce. No more Chauncey or C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Time to pave a way for my own imagine [sic] that I want no more judgement, thoughts on me, because you really don't know me, until you understand me as a person I won't speak unless spoken to."[4] In 2023, he said "Court doucments [sic] otw (on the way). It's a different person. I got an alter ego. I got like two different people living in me, football and life. Life, I’m just chilling. Football, that’s a whole different person. People call me Ceedy on the football field or Ducey. In life, they call me C.J. or Chauncey".[5]
College career
As a true freshman at Florida, Gardner-Johnson appeared in all 14 games, making starts in the final seven games of the season. During the 2017 Outback Bowl, Gardner-Johnson had two tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown against Iowa.[6] He was named the MVP of the Outback Bowl.[7][3] During his sophomore season, Gardner-Johnson started in all 11 games. Before his junior season, Gardner-Johnson was moved to the nickelback position.[8] On November 26, 2018, Gardner-Johnson announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL draft.[9]
The New Orleans Saints selected Gardner-Johnson in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints orchestrated a trade to ensure the acquisition of Gardner-Johnson by agreeing to exchange their fourth (116th overall) and fifth round picks (168th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft with the New York Jets for their fourth round pick (105th overall).[12] He became the ninth safety drafted in 2019.
2019 season
On May 10, 2019, the New Orleans Saints signed Gardner-Johnson to a four-year, $3.30 million rookiecontract that includes a signing bonus of $784,100.[13]
In September 9, 2019, Gardner-Johnson made his professional regular season debut in the New Orleans Saints' home-opener against the Houston Texans, but was limited to one tackle in their 30–28 victory. In Week 7, Gardner-Johnson earned his first career start, starting as a nickelback, and collected a season-high seven solo tackles and a season-high two pass deflections in a 36–25 victory at the Chicago Bears.[17]
In a Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving Day, Gardner-Johnson recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Matt Ryan in the 26–18 win.[18] On December 16, 2019, Gardner-Johnson had his first start at strong safety and recorded eight combined tackles (six solo) and forced a fumble by wide receiver Kalif Raymond which he recovered during the 34–7 win against the Indianapolis Colts.[19] He started the last three games at strong safety in place of Vonn Bell who was inactive due to a knee sprain. He finished his rookie campaign in 2019 with a total of 42 combined tackles (34 solo), eight pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 16 games and seven starts.[20] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[21]
2020 season
Gardner-Johnson in 2021
On October 11, 2020, Gardner-Johnson was punched by teammate Michael Thomas during practice. This led to Thomas being benched for that week's game.[22] On November 1, 2020, in a 26–23 victory over the Chicago Bears, Gardner-Johnson was sucker-punched by Bears' wide receiverJavon Wims which led to a scuffle between both teams in the third quarter. Wims ran up to an unsuspecting Gardner-Johnson, who had his back turned and punched him in the helmet. When Gardner-Johnson did not react, Wims punched him again. Earlier broadcast showed Gardner-Johnson ripping off Wims' mouthguard away from Wims. Despite Wims claiming Gardner-Johnson spit on him, no evidence supported this claim.[23] Gardner-Johnson later denied that he spit on Wims.[24] The incident led to Wims being ejected from the game and suspended for two games by the NFL the next day.[25][26] Gardner-Johnson was also fined $5,128 for his actions with Wims.[27]
In Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, Gardner-Johnson recorded his first career sack on quarterback Nick Mullens during the 27–13 win.[28][29] In Week 12 against the Denver Broncos, Gardner-Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by wide receiver Kendall Hinton during the 31–3 win.[30] Gardner-Johnson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Saints on December 30, 2020,[31] and activated on January 8, 2021.[32] In the 2020 season, Gardner-Johnson finished with one sack, 66 total tackles, one interception, and 13 passes defended.[33]
On January 10, 2021, in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Chicago Bears, Gardner-Johnson was involved in a scuffle with another Bears receiver, Anthony Miller. Miller was ejected for the fight while they both received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.[34][35]
Gardner-Johnson entered 2021 as a starting safety. He started seven games before being placed on injured reserve on November 13.[36] He was activated on December 11.[37] In a game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 19, 2021, Gardner-Johnson intercepted Tom Brady's pass intended for Scotty Miller late in the game to close out the 9–0 shutout victory.[38] He finished the 2021 season with two sacks, 46 total tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defended.[39]
Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)
On August 30, 2022, the New Orleans Saints traded Gardner-Johnson along with a 2025 seventh round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2023 fifth round pick (165th overall) and the lower of their two sixth round picks in 2024 (199th overall).[40] He started the first 11 games before suffering a lacerated kidney in Week 12.[41][42] He was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2022, leading the league in interceptions.[43][44] He was activated from injured reserve on January 7, 2023.[45] He finished the 2022 season with one sack, 67 total tackles (61 solo), six interceptions, and eight passes defended.[46] Gardner-Johnson helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII. In the Super Bowl, Gardner-Johnson recorded four tackles in the Eagles 38–35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[47]
Detroit Lions
On March 20, 2023, the Detroit Lions signed Gardner-Johnson to a fully guaranteed one-year, $6.50 million contract that includes a signing bonus if $4.00 million.[48][13]
Gardner-Johnson suffered a non-contact leg injury during the start of Lions training camp on July 23, 2023. Despite fears of a potentially season-ending ligament injury, it was announced the next day after an MRI that Gardner-Johnson avoided structural damage and was "day-to-day" in his recovery.[49] In Week 2, he suffered a torn pectoral and was placed on injured reserve on September 19, 2023.[50]
On December 14, 2023, Gardner-Johnson was medically cleared to return to the field.[51] He was activated on January 6, 2024.[52]
Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)
On March 14, 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Gardner-Johnson to a three-year, $27 million contract that includes $10 million guaranteed.[53]
He was named a starting safety to begin the season. In Week 17, Gardner-Johnson had two interceptions, including a 69-yard return for a touchdown in a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[54]
^ ab"Gardner MVP as Florida wins Outback Bowl". Florida Today. Associated Press. January 2, 2017. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2020. Former Cocoa High star Chauncey Gardner Jr., returned one of his two fourth-quarter interceptions 58 yards for a touchdown
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
