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Ottawa Redblacks defensive back/linebacker Josh Johnson is grateful for a lot of things.

He’s happy to be playing football again after a groin injury derailed his National Football League hopes.

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He’s excited to be with the Redblacks and be part of a community where he’s already feeling at home.

He can’t wait to see his nearly-11-month old son Deuce, who may come to Ottawa for the Redblacks’ next home game July 12 against Calgary.

Johnson’s appreciative of his mother, Nicki, who pushed church and academics while her son was excelling in athletics as a teenager.

And he’s happy to have re-established a relationship with his father Isaac who has found his calling as a pastor.

Isaac was a star quarterback at Dade City’s Pasco High School in Florida and was jailed the night before the biggest game of the season.

“He was basically the lookout guy, him and a couple of teammates, they took a couple of dollars from a pizza guy — they actually knew him and he didn’t really want to press charges,” said Johnson.