Crossfit Charlotte Produces NFL Athlete

Will Johnson, Former WVU Tight End/H-Back to Attend Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp as a Result of Crossfit Preparation
By: Jessica Young
 
April 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Charlotte, NC--Will Johnson, Dayton, OH native and former Tight End/H-back out of West Virginia University signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, March 19th, after an impressive showing at WVU’s Pro Day, held Friday, March 16th at the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility in Morgantown, West Virginia.  

Pro Day spectators, as well as a host of NFL personnel, looked on as Johnson demonstrated his strength- bench pressing 225 pounds for 30 reps- and showed his speed-posting an unofficial 4.49 seconds in his 40-yard-dash. In addition, Johnson proved his agility-running a series of precise pass-catching routes during the position drills segment.

In 2011, Johnson found himself without a home shortly after graduation due to the NFL lockout. When things began to settle, Johnson had lost contact with many previously interested organizations and had fallen off of the scouting radar. In the months leading up to WVU’s 2012 Pro Day, Johnson trained at Crossfit Charlotte, located at 9535 Monroe Rd, under owner and former Miami Dolphins linebacker, Andy Hendel.

“Deciding to train at Crossfit Charlotte under Coach Hendel has proven to be the best choice I could have made in preparation for this year’s Pro Day,” Johnson said. “I have to attribute a lot of my speed, strength and explosiveness to the Crossfit system, but more so, to Coach Hendel’s creative approach in terms of strength and conditioning.”

Andy Hendel is a graduate of NC State University and currently has 25 years of strength and conditioning experience in addition to 20 years of football coaching experience.

“Crossfit is so unique because it is quantified- you have to move a certain amount of weight a specific distance as fast as you can,” Hendel said.

The Crossfit Charlotte program is designed for universal scalability, making it ideal for virtually any individual, regardless of previous experience.

“We haven’t invented anything, we’ve just quantified our program; [Crossfit] helps Will in his specific sport, but also helps a 75 year old grandmother. We reteach basic skills- squatting, lifting things up over our heads and lifting things off of the ground,” Hendel said.

For Johnson, Crossfit has enhanced his overall game by combining weightlifting and sport, which, Hendel says, has made his playing ability that much better.

As for the future of Crossfit, Hendel predicts that the program is here to stay.

“There’s a whole community that loves fitness, it will take some time, but it will definitely take off,” says Hendel.

For more information about The Crossfit Experience, Crossfit Charlotte or tips on getting started, visit www.CrossfitCharlotte.com.
End
Source:Jessica Young
Email:***@mix.wvu.edu Email Verified
Tags:Crossfit, Crossfit Charlotte, Will Johnson, Steelers, Wvu, Nfl
Industry:Football
Location:United States
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Page Updated Last on: Apr 16, 2012
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