The starting fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers is relatively unknown, as is his agent, which makes the success for both individuals a compelling story. Steelers FB Will Johnson won the starting role when David Johnson (they are not related) went down with a season-ending injury. Will Johnson was the only fullback left on the Steelers roster and became the de facto starter. This was a big victory for the former West Virginia Mountaineer who did not even have the clout to get his own locker when he played in Morgantown.
Johnson was not selected in the NFL Draft and signed a free agent contract with the Steelers in March of this year. His agent is Joe Tyler, a San Diego, California-based Agent Advisor with Sports Management WorldWide (SMWW). Tyler represents over 15 athletes, most of them being basketball players performing overseas. He has been with SMWW, (the company run by Dr. Lynn Lashbrook) since August 2009.
Tyler did not stop pounding the pavement after all 32 NFL teams passed on his client a year ago. Johnson performed in the 2011 Pro Day, and while it was rumored that some teams were interested in him, all of them took a pass. Then, he put up 30 reps of 225 lbs at this year’s West Virginia Pro Day an the Steelers sent him an offer sheet. Hard work pays off.
