Los Angeles Chargers

New Chargers WR Johnson, CB Verrett share a hometown bond

Published Jun. 4, 2015 11:24 p.m. ET

foxsports

Growing up in Fairfield, Calif., Stevie Johnson said he always knew who the area's gridiron stars were -- Desmond Bishop, Quinton Ganther, etc.

But around the time Johnson left for Kentucky, he began to hear a new name garnering area buzz.

"In my era they were talking about me," Johnson told ESPN. "And when I left, everybody said Jason was the man now. And here he is now.”

Jason Verrett has certainly arrived in his own right. But he always looked up to Johnson, the star from the same town who played at Angelo Rodriguez High School too. Now, the cornerback and wide receiver are teammates on the San Diego Chargers.

Said Verrett: "It’s kind of dope to be honest. I’m just excited to have him out there.”

The receiver feels the same way. Johnson said got in contact with his new teammate through their hometown barber and kept talking when he played for the Bills and Verrett played at TCU.

When Johnson was searching for a new team this offseason, it wasn't exactly a tough sell. The two biggest football stars from Fairfield wanted to play for the same franchise.

"I saw the opportunity was here," Johnson said. "And with Jason being here, everything fell into place. So seeing him here and me being here, that’s probably the weirdest thing -- us being on the same football field."

(h/t ESPN)