Fame And Fortune No Surprise To Keyshawn

He’s charismatic, a millionaire and as fast as a leopard. Maybe that’s why Keyshawn Johnson’s not exactly bashful.

There he was recently snapping off his helmet, spiking the ball and prancing around the end zone after the rookie scored his first NFL touchdown. The indiscretion immediately became a subject for commentary on national television (“He’s a jerk,” said none other than Joe Theismann.)

Johnson, the top overall pick in this year’s draft, might be a prima donna - just don’t say it to his face. Healthy doses of confidence and talent have made this 6-foot-3-inch, 215-pound wide receiver the projected savior of the New York Jets, a franchise that hasn’t known glory since the 1960s.

But the All-American hero came at a $15 million, six-year price tag that includes a $6.5 million signing bonus and an extra $2 million if he puts up the numbers of which he boasts.

What a bargain.

Or is it? Johnson had only one reception for 14 yards in a recent debacle against the New York Giants. It’s a far cry from his two seasons at the University of Southern California, where Johnson was the No. 2 receiver in the school’s history in catches and yardage.

Of the NFL, Johnson, 24, says flatly: “My time has come.” He has time, however, for other things, including his 1-year-old daughter, Maia. And, because he was raised in South-central Los Angeles, Johnson helps out with programs targeting inner-city kids.

Yet even as he gears up for the new demands of the NFL, Johnson harbors a secret wish - one that isn’t about gridiron glory.

1. Did you do anything special when you got your first paycheck?

Johnson: No, my money’s in the bank. I’ve always had nice things so it wasn’t like I wasn’t used to having them and I had to go out and spend half a million dollars in a day. Y’know, I’ve got too many clothes already.

2. Are you surprised you’ve come so far so quickly?

Johnson: Not really. No, not at all. I think that I was born destined for this type of success. It seems that everything has been going right, nothing’s been going wrong. As long as I stay on the right path. Y’know, I’m the same guy who was at USC, the same guy who was in high school. There’s no difference. I’ve always been treated fairly. People don’t see me as being different since I became the No. 1 draft pick.

3. But you’re getting a lot of headlines…

Johnson: That doesn’t mean anything. I’m just a guy who I guess the media likes. It’s weird. I’m on (ESPN’s) SportsCenter every day. (In a mocking TV announcer voice) ‘Keyshawn Johnson did this today!’ or ‘Hey! He scratched his nose today!’

4. Do you get many reactions on the street?

Johnson: Too many. Mostly questions about the Jets, or ‘Aren’t you Keyshawn Johnson?’ and ‘You look like Keyshawn Johnson!’ You really can’t hide. I’m nice. Y’know, I won’t disrespect them.

5. Do you ever dream in football patterns?

Johnson: Baseball more so. I sometimes think that I should be playing baseball. But I chose football instead.

5-1/2. You know, you could probably do both…

Johnson: Yeah, but I don’t want to. I have no regrets, but baseball lingers there a little. Y’know, I’d probably want to pitch.

Mark Kennedy, AP writer