Former Patriot Ted Johnson Kicks Off Speaker Series with Powerful Message on Resilience and Recovery
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) welcomed three-time Super Bowl Champion and mental health advocate Ted Johnson to campus on September 30, 2025, to kick off the fall Compelling Conversations Speaker Series titled THE SILENT CURRICULUM: Famous Faces. Hidden Struggles. Open Dialogue.
Behavioral, Social Sciences, and Global Learning Dean Kathryn Silva welcomed attendees and highlighted BHCC’s holistic approach to education, emphasizing the importance of mental health services and programs to support students throughout their educational journey.
Professor Carlos Maynard introduced former New England Patriot linebacker Ted Johnson, setting the stage for his journey from a difficult upbringing to a successful football career, highlighting the importance of mental health, resilience, and support networks.
Moderated by Associate Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Nahomi Carlisle, Ted discussed his struggles with addiction and recovery, advocating for awareness and seeking help. He shared his journey of how football became a vital outlet, giving him direction and purpose during his unstable childhood.
Johnson grew up in a chaotic home with seven marriages between his parents and a mother who was emotionally and physically abusive. He said, “Football became the family I didn’t have. My teammates were like brothers. My coaches were like fathers.” Football provided structure, accountability, hope, and an escape from instability.
Drafted by the New England Patriots in 1995, Ted played for 10 years and won three Super Bowls, noting his success was built on grit. “Perseverance and discipline often outweigh natural talent in achieving long-term goals,” said Johnson. “The smartest [person] doesn’t always win. The [person] with the most grit does.”
Johnson retired in 2005 due to repeated concussions, which left him with cognitive and emotional challenges. Before the 2004 Super Bowl, a friend introduced him to amphetamines. That encounter triggered a 20-year battle with Adderall and cocaine addiction. “You never know if you carry a gene. Sometimes just one pill can unlock a 20-year battle,” said Johnson. Recovery only began when he had “lost everything—friends, money, status.”
The discussion shifted to sobriety and recovery, highlighting the importance of adapting personal strategies over time. The speaker shared their own experiences with relapse and emphasized the importance of staying committed to recovery. He stressed the vital role of loved ones in recovery, noting that having supportive people can significantly influence an individual's decision to seek help.
The event emphasized the importance of mental health support, resilience, and community care. Johnson’s honesty about trauma, addiction, and recovery turned his story into a lesson of perseverance and self-discovery.