Tez Johnson’s NFL rise: The Nix family’s life‑saving love

When Tez Johnson, a 23‑year‑old wide receiver, earned a roster spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2025 NFL Draft, his story was already a testament to how a single act of kindness can rewrite a life.

It all began on April 23, 2018, when Patrick Nix, then head football coach at Pinson Valley High School in Birmingham, Alabama, offered a struggling teen a place to stay. The teen was Tez Johnson, whose biological father had died by suicide when he was an infant, leaving him and his mother in a perpetual state of uncertainty.

Early Turbulence and a Lifeline

Johnson’s early years were marked by instability. After his father’s death, his mother juggled multiple jobs while trying to keep the household afloat. School‑yard trouble led to a parent‑teacher conference that changed everything. Patrick Nix, who had just taken over the varsity program, asked Johnson’s mother, "What if he comes home with us for a few days?" The offer turned into a permanent arrangement, and Johnson was informally adopted by the Nix family that spring.

"Bo Nix is my brother, and I was adopted by the Nix family on the 23rd of April in 2018. I literally never left," Johnson later told ESPN. "I got a bio family, and I have the Nix family, so I got one big happy family."

The High School Miracle

At Pinson Valley, Johnson initially played quarterback on the junior varsity squad before shifting to wide receiver—an early hint of the chemistry he would later share with Bo Nix, Patrick’s son and the team’s quarterback. The pair clicked instantly. "The first person that comes running out on the field is this little bitty, scrawny kid—one of the skinniest kids I’ve ever seen," Bo recalled in a 2023 interview. "He just wanted to impress me, caught every pass, and never gave up."

Their synergy helped Pinson Valley clinch the Class 6A State Championship in 2018, a triumph that earned Bo the coveted Alabama Mr. Football award. In his acceptance speech, Bo publicly thanked Johnson, calling him "an essential part of our championship success."

College Chemistry at Oregon

Both athletes chose the University of Oregon for the next chapter of their careers. While Bo took over as the Ducks’ starting quarterback, Johnson became a reliable target in the passing game. Over three seasons, the duo combined for more than 2,200 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, cementing Oregon’s reputation as a high‑octane offense.

Coach Mario Cristobal praised the pair, saying, "What you see on the field is the product of years of trust. Bo’s arm and Tez’s route‑running make each other better." The rapport they built in college would later become a cornerstone of their transition to the professional ranks.

Draft Day Divergence

In 2024, Bo Nix was selected 12th overall by the Denver Broncos, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing for his home‑state team. The following year, Johnson’s path diverged: after going undrafted, he signed a rookie contract with the Buffalo Bayou‑based Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers later used a seventh‑round pick (235th overall) to officially bring him onto the roster on April 26, 2025, a nod to his perseverance.

"Tez finally gets to join his brother Bo in the NFL," an ESPN tweet read, highlighting the emotional resonance of their parallel journeys.

Impact Beyond the Field

The Nix family’s intervention did more than provide a roof. It gave Johnson a structured environment, academic support, and a sense of belonging that he had never known. "The family really saved my life. I never had the structure until I moved in… I knew I could trust them because the love was there," Johnson said in a feature for The Times of India. Psychologists note that such stable, surrogate family systems can dramatically improve outcomes for youth who experience early trauma.

Moreover, Johnson’s story underscores a broader narrative in the NFL: that talent can emerge from unconventional pathways. While most draft picks are scouted from elite programs, Johnson’s rise shows that community mentors and family connections remain vital pipelines.

What Lies Ahead

Both brothers now share locker rooms on opposite coasts—Bo in the Mile High Stadium’s thunderous atmosphere, Tez in Tampa’s sunny climate. Yet their bond remains unshaken. Bo recently posted on Instagram, "Brothers on and off the field. Proud of you, Tez. Let’s keep grinding."

Looking forward, Johnson hopes to cement his place in the Buccaneers’ receiving corps, while Bo aims to solidify his starting role with the Broncos. Their shared upside could spark future collaborations, perhaps even a reunion on a pro‑football field one day.

• Key Fact: Johnson was informally adopted by the Nix family on April 23 2018.
• Key Fact: The Pinson Valley High School team won the Class 6A State Championship in 2018.
• Key Fact: Bo Nix was drafted 12th overall by the Denver Broncos in 2024.
• Key Fact: Tez Johnson was selected 235th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
• Key Fact: Both players attended the University of Oregon, where they combined for over 2,200 yards.