Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson takes a trip each summer to remind himself of his long road to the NFL.
Before finally making it to the league with the New Orleans Saints in 2011, Johnson played in NFL Europe, the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League. It was his 2009-10 stint with the Calgary Stampeders that finally got the attention of the NFL.
"Every year, I go back to Canada," Johnson said. "I usually go after (spring drills) break up. I go check out a game. I was there for their home opener (a 24-23 Stampeders victory over Hamilton on June 26).