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Being a dad gives Cardinals' David Johnson 'a different perspective' heading into football season

Posted at 12:50 PM, Jul 31, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-31 15:50:47-04

Cardinals running back David Johnson loves being a new parent, but he and his wife Meghan have also experienced all the challenges that first-time parents always do.

In May, David and Meghan were apprehensive when they left their infant son, David Jr., with a babysitter for the first time. And now, with Cardinals training camp underway, David is forced to spend more time away from David Jr., who his now six months old.

 

DJ wants to wish everyone a Happy 4th! ?? @meghantjohnson

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"It was tough, leaving him at home," Johnson said on the first day of camp in Glendale. "Hopefully I can see him as much as I can. Hopefully they come to as many practices as they can. That's probably (going to be) the toughest thing this year." 

Johnson comes into his third NFL season as one of the league's most elite running backs. He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage last season; this year, his goal is to become the third player in NFL history to gain 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.

But while Johnson works on those goals during training camp, part of his heart will be back home with Meghan and David Jr. -- and when he goes home, his No. 1 goal is making up for lost time.

"It definitely changes my mind. I have a different perspective on life, why I play this sport," he said. "The toughest thing is leaving him ... I'm definitely going to end each day seeing him and talking to him as much as I can."