The war of football is, more often than not, won and lost in the trenches, where opposing linemen clash against each other with as much strength as they can muster for a combined 60 minutes that feel something like an eternity.
In order to overcome these obstacles and achieve victory, these brothers in arms must share a mutual trust, loyalty and understanding.
This should be no problem for LSU junior defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Anthony “Freak” Johnson, roommates whose relationship far transcends the football field.
“[Johnson and I] talk about everything from girls to football to anything you can imagine. He is like a brother,” Ferguson said. “When I play, I feel like I can’t let him down, and I have to make the play. He feels the same way. We keep each other motivated and when one is falling down, we pick the other up.”
The friendship began shortly after Johnson arrived on campus as a freshman in 2011. Ferguson, who had been redshirted the season prior, said the two just “fell into each other,” partly due to their similar backgrounds.
“I met Ego, and ever since then he’s been my roll dog,” Johnson said. “He’s been my big brother. I look up to him as a person.”
The development of their friendship runs almost completely parallel to their development as football players. That is no coincidence.
The roommates constantly push and compete with each other, both on and off the field. The more they bond, the more they want to see each other succeed.
“Life is a competition to us, and if you are not winning, you are losing,” Ferguson said. “We are trying to win everything … We both already feel like we are the best defensive tackle in the country. We want to be the best duo in the country.”
While Johnson may show an advantage on the football field statistically at the midpoint of their college career, Ego isn’t shy letting people know in what areas he is superior to the “Freak.”
“He won’t admit this, but I beat him in [NBA] 2K13 every day,” Ferguson said laughing.
Now entering their third year, it seems the hard work and confidence has paid off.
The duo is expected to line up next to each other in 2013 as LSU’s starting defensive tackles. Both referred to it as “a dream come true.”
“It is a great opportunity to play with my brother,” Johnson said. “ … Both of us have waited for our chance to show our coaches and the world what we have to offer, so I can’t wait to play next to him.”
The two have emerged as co-leaders on defense and taken over the responsibilities of teaching younger and less experienced defensive linemen the ropes.
Despite the duo being thrust into this role with relatively little experience, defensive coordinator John Chavis and fellow defensive linemen indicated the duo has handled the situation well in the offseason.
“They are definitely good team leaders,” said sophomore defensive end Danielle Hunter. “They are players that most of the team looks up to. Whatever they do, the whole team follows.”
Neither has any intention of letting graduation or professional football get in the way of their relationship.
But right now, these two comrades are too focused on the task at hand to concern themselves with future plans. They have a game in Dallas to prepare for and some lofty expectations to fulfill.
“I just want the world to know that I have his back on and off the field and vice versa … We want to keep this tradition [of dominant LSU defensive lines] going and play great football,” Johnson said.