Former NFL wide receiver Kevin Johnson hopes to pave a new path to success with his latest business venture — the acquisition of a Ford dealership in Burlington, N.J.
Already the owner of Team85 Fitness & Wellness in the city, Johnson purchased Lucas Ford from Hap Lucas on June 28, renaming the dealership Johnson Ford. This marks his foray into automotive retail.
“When this opportunity presented itself, not far from where I conduct many of my other businesses, it was a perfect fit,” said Johnson, who ended his football career with the Detroit Lions in 2005 after an injury.
Plus, he knows the Ford brand and the family behind it.
“I love the Blue Oval,” Johnson said. “I worked for the Ford family before; now I’m working for them again.”
The Lucas family has owned the dealership for nearly 50 years, Johnson said, and he hopes to create a similar legacy for his family.
Son Kevin Jr. works at the dealership, while son Keyshawn helped out the summer before returning to college, Johnson said.
He said he hopes his daughter, Samara, who is studying business in college, will get involved. His wife, Shaniece, will likely get involved as well, he said, adding that she works with his other businesses, including apartment buildings he builds, manages and rents and his Team85 wellness center.
Johnson said permanent roles and titles for his family members are still on the table, but the intention is for the dealership to remain a family business.
“Ideally, that’s my succession plan,” Johnson said. “For these guys to learn the business and be in a position to keep it in our family for decades to come.”
Johnson said the lessons learned from his playing days can be applied to the automotive industry as well.
“You focus on the details,” Johnson said. “You maximize the moment, make sure every ‘t’ is crossed, every ‘i’ is dotted, and make sure you continue to press forward.”
The Cleveland Browns drafted Johnson, who played at Syracuse University, in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He wore a Browns uniform until 2003, then played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens before an Achilles tendon injury in 2005 with the Lions ended his season and ultimately his professional playing career.
He has recorded 384 receptions for 4,595 yards and 25 touchdowns in his professional career, according to ESPN.
The former wideout once chatted about life and business with Bill Ford Jr., the Lions’ owner/vice chairman and Ford’s executive chairman, while both were nursing injuries in the Lions’ stratosphere.
Johnson said the conversation helped influence his decision to buy a dealership, though he has always been interested and a lifelong car enthusiast. His car collection numbers 10, and his favorite right now is a 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider, but he has his eyes on another.
“I can’t wait to get my Ford GTD,” Johnson said, referring to his pre-ordered Mustang. “That’s going to be my favorite. That car is amazing!”
Johnson said he feels good about his new store after the transition, but said it’s too early to share any expansion plans.
He offered a prediction: Good things are ahead for his former team, the Honolulu Blue. He praised coach Dan Campbell and the efforts on both sides of the ball.
“The Detroit Lions seem to be on the rise, and should be on their way to the Super Bowl this year,” Johnson said. “This is a great year to bleed blue.”