Pro football has always been a dream for this Windsorite. Now, he's in the NFL draft

Playing in the NFL has been a dream for Theo Johnson, and this week, the Windsorite will participate in the NFL Draft just a stone's throw from home.

"I feel an overwhelming sense of presence and love from the community and from the city," Johnson told CBC News ahead of the draft, which begins Thursday in Detroit.

"I'm just glad to be able to represent Windsor this year at the draft."

Johnson, 23, was born in Winnipeg, but from about the time he was 10 lived in Windsor with his mom and five brothers. He played for the Essex Ravens and went to local training camps, like Windsor's Finest Football Academy — run by two home town football names, Tyrone Crawford of the Dallas Cowboys and Daryl Townsend of the Montreal Allouettes. 

Initially, Johnson says his mom, Amy Johnson, was reluctant to let him play football — but around age seven wore her down after getting a flyer about a local team at school.

The NFL, he says, has been "a dream ever since."

He spent his high school years playing football for Holy Names Catholic High School before going on to play for Penn State. He plays tight-end. 

He says he contended with stigma against Canadian football players, "just trying to be noticed" by American coaches. 

"Coming from Canada... it's not easy to get over there," he said. "My mom and I drove all over the place in the states going to different university camps ... and then the offers started to roll in — big guy that runs fast got some people's attention.

"I remember ....  being a little unsure of myself and doing really, really well and excelling. And I think after that, I got a totally different confidence."

Growing up, Johnson said being one of six kids, all boys, brought a "crazy" dynamic to the home. But today, it's made him a stronger player.

"When you have your older brother kind of pushing you, someone to chase after being a younger kid, it forces you to work harder," he explained. "Fighting with bigger, stronger, older brothers kind of makes it tough."

Asked if he can take his brothers now, Johnson chuckles: "Oh yeah."

Detroit will host the NFL draft beginning on Thursday, with hundreds of thousands of people and fans expected downtown for the three-day sports spectacle. Round one of the draft, reserved for the top 32 picks, will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, while rounds two and three — where the NFL estimates Johnson will be drafted — begin at 7 p.m. Friday.