Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - Former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson continues his literary journey following his playing days in the NFL with the upcoming release of another children's book centered around a former teammate of his in Western New York.
With his fourth children's book since 2022, Johnson is, once again, teaming up with Buffalo-based author Charlie Roberts and illustrator Zachary McCabe to highlight the life and lessons of former Bills teammate Eric Wood, with the book "Eric Wood Centers on What’s Good."
"This Eric Wood book is phenomenal. It taught me things about my teammate that I didn't know while I was playing [with] him or playing against him in Kentucky, when we were playing against each other [in college]," said Johnson during a recent appearance on WBEN. "But his story is amazing, and how we translated that into a simple term, that took some mind power between Charlie, Zach and I, but it wasn't as hard."
The duo played together in Buffalo from 2009 to 2013, but continue to share a lasting friendship that fuels this final installment in a series of children’s books aimed at motivating young minds.
Wood says it's been great to see his former teammate and friend pour this much into the community in Buffalo.
"Charles Roberts, who wrote the book, does an excellent job, they were great to work with. Excited to do something that can additionally pour into the community," said Wood with WBEN. "Part of the proceeds from the book will go to Oishei Children's Hospital, which we always love supporting, our family always loves supporting."
Previous books in the players series include "There’s Always a Way with Stevie J!" (July 2022), "Freddy J Makes his Play" (May 2023) and "The Legend of FitzMagic, Mr. Nomadic" (October 2023). The first three books in the series are available through ImagineWePublishers.com, while the latest release is available for preorder on Amazon.
"I think it's a cool deal that Stevie's doing where he's been able to use stories of different teammates, himself - Fred Jackson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and myself - to be able to portray some life lessons for children through these books. So really, really cool deal he's doing," Wood said.
Johnson says the inspiration for his children's book series with his former teammates comes from the community.
"I got a glimpse of it when I was playing, and that was really all that I got, because I was so locked in on being in the game and being an athlete or a player. But when you go to those games and you see the love that they had, and during the times that we had, it was just so pure. Now that I'm not playing, I want to spend that time with the fans, with that community that supported us and supported me during my playing times, during the ups and downs," Johnson said. "So what we're doing now is all for the community."
Wood adds it's always great to be able to reconnect with a former teammate like Johnson, with whom he had a closer relationship with than others during his playing days in the NFL.
"Stevie's locker was right next to mine for four years. We spent a lot of time together, and I probably saw him more than most people in this world. So when you get to reconnect, it's always a special thing," he said.
Johnson, the first player in Bills history to achieve back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, played six seasons in Buffalo after being a seventh-round pick of the team in 2008 out of the University of Kentucky. He also spent time in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers.
Roberts, a longtime public relations professional and author, has penned five books, while McCabe, a Buffalo sports enthusiast and architecture professional, lends his artistic talents to bring these stories to life.
In developing this children’s book series, the trio formed a new venture, HBHF Creators – a nod to Johnson’s mantra of "Handle Business, Have Fun" (HBHF).
To celebrate the book launch, Wood will join Johnson, Roberts and McCabe at a book-signing event at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Resurgence Brewing. Books will be available for purchase onsite. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Evan Wood Fund at Oishei Children’s Hospital.
"Should be a really fun event out at Resurgence Brewing this Saturday from 2 p.m.-to-4 p.m., me and Stevie will be out there. Stevie's got a beer that Resurgence did as well, so it should be a really fun event. Looking forward to seeing a lot of Bills fans out there," Wood said.