Forces of Character Podcast

Host: Chad Hennings
Episode 15: Daryl “Moose” Johnston
Date: August 25, 2025

Episode Overview

Chad Hennings sits down with former Dallas Cowboys fullback and current football executive Daryl Johnston to discuss the values that shaped his journey from small-town New York to NFL stardom and beyond. This episode explores themes of character, leadership, the evolving nature of teamwork, and the transitions between major professional milestones. Johnston reflects on early influences, memorable coaching moments, lessons from championship teams, adaptation through injury and career shifts, and the importance of integrity and family.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Early Life, Family, and Foundations of Character

• Rural Roots and Work Ethic:
  Johnston describes a humble upbringing in a small town near Niagara Falls, with strong family ties and a farming background that instilled work ethic and discipline.
  • “My mom’s family were farmers in that region. It was a big farming community... That’s probably where my work ethic comes from.” (01:21)
• Learning through Chores:
  Sent to work on his grandfather’s farm to “learn how to put in a long hard day of manual labor.”
  • “It took me twice as long as if grandpa would have let me use the tractor... he needs to learn how to put in a long hard day of manual labor.” (02:14)

2. Coaches, Sports, and Early Lessons in Leadership

• Soccer and Unique Exposure:
  Started with soccer, learning from semi-pro European players, giving their community an edge and unique passion for the game.
• Transition to Football and Early Coaches:
  Coach Dave Adelizzi introduces mental discipline and the concept that football builds life skills beyond the field.
  • “What separates is the attention to the detail and the mental part…which is going to be true in everything that you do moving forward.” (04:30)
• Life Lessons through Sports:
  Johnston emphasizes football's role in teaching camaraderie, teamwork, and conflict resolution—skills crucial far beyond athletics.
  • “I learned more on the football field through the course of my life than I did in any classroom.” (06:00)

3. Overcoming Early Hurdles and College Selection

• Recruitment Realities:
  Syracuse was the only D1 school to offer him a scholarship—last spot available, chosen partly for academic and local representation rather than athletic expectations.
• Impact of College Coaches:
  • Mike Wojcik (Strength & Conditioning): Transformed Johnston physically and mentally; common thread of Super Bowl-winning teams.
    • “There are two teams in the history of the NFL who have won three Super Bowls in four years, and Mike Wojcik was a strength coach for both of them. I do not find that to be a coincidence at all.” (10:14)
  • Dick McPherson (Head Coach): CEO-style leadership, empowered assistant coaches, and fostered innovation.
  • Jim Hoffer (Position Coach): Reignited Johnston’s passion, provided crucial mentorship during a tough transition.
• Father’s Motivation:
  After expressing self-doubt at Syracuse, his father said:
  • “There's no reason you can't have success here...you'll figure it out. Because the one thing we’re not going to do is walk away from this.” (12:29)

4. Mindset, Motivation, and Growth

• Growth Mindset:
  Emphasizing adaptability, openness, and resilience. Reference to Carol Dweck’s “growth mindset”.
• Breaking the Prove-Them-Wrong Cycle:
  Johnston reveals a shift after speaking with NFL QB Blake Bortles:
  • “I choose to prove those who believed in me right...for me to be able to prove them right, that they had that faith and belief in me at that time when it was dark...that was like a...it was an epiphany for me.” (15:47)

5. NFL Transition: The Cowboys Dynasty and Culture

• Joining a Tumultuous Team:
  Entered the NFL as the Cowboys underwent major changes: Jerry Jones as new owner, Jimmy Johnson as coach.
• Renewed Commitment and Transformation:
  Mistake was thinking “making it to the NFL” was the goal; realization comes that ongoing growth and contribution matter most.
• The Wojcik Factor Returns:
  Mike Wojcik comes to Dallas, revolutionizing the team's strength and conditioning, paralleling the earlier transformative impact at Syracuse.
• Building a Family Culture:
  The championship Cowboys weren’t just teammates, but true family.
  • “We transcended teammates and we got to the point where we were family…If something happens, everybody shows up.” (21:53)
• Secret Sauce:
  Daily competition and mutual support built deep trust and demanded excellence.
  • “We were so good on both sides of the football that we were playing against and practicing against some of the best players in the NFL on a daily basis.” (22:32)

6. Leadership and Identity in the Locker Room

• Leading by Example:
  Johnston was not a “rah rah guy,” preferred to inspire by diligence, professionalism, and consistency.
  • “If you’re 10 minutes early, you’re late...everything that’s expected of you, do it and do it at a high level...” (25:12)
• Earning Quiet Respect:
  “It was important that somebody said something at that time, but it was more important that you said something at that time, because you didn’t say things a lot. And it really resonated with everybody.” (25:50)
• Defined Leadership at Every Level:
  Every unit in the Cowboys’ locker room had its leader; leadership was decentralized yet unified.

7. Jimmy Johnson’s Influence and Practice Philosophy

• Practices Tougher than Games:
  The team was pushed hard—mentally and physically—during the week, so that games felt easier.
• Sticking to Core Beliefs:
  Johnson’s approach: “If I’m going to fail here at this level, I’m going to fail doing it my way.” (31:44)
• External Respect:
  Herschel Walker told Johnston that the Cowboys’ confidence was legendary and intimidating.
  • “Your team came onto the field and there was an air of confidence...you were like a machine.” (34:13)

8. Adapting through Adversity: Injuries and Career Endings

• Neck Injury and Repeated Surgeries:
  Johnston discusses the physical toll, the decision to return post-surgery, and hindsight regret.
  • “I did not play well coming back. I always held myself to a higher standard...I wasn’t the same.” (38:34)
• Trust and Mentorship:
  Striking handshake agreement with doctors for player safety, mentoring young players facing similar decisions.

9. Transitioning to Broadcasting and Executive Roles

• Broadcasting:
  Applied team preparation and leadership skills; learned to be the “quarterback” in the booth, shifting away from his fullback mindset.
  • “On Sunday, I’m the quarterback, I’m not the fullback anymore...That was a little bit of a transition because that’s kind of getting out of my comfort zone.” (43:22)
• Learning from Broadcasting Greats:
  Inspired by Cosell, Gifford, Meredith, Madden, and Summerall; valued teamwork in the booth just as much as on the field.
  • “If you fail, we fail. I’m not going to let you fail. It’s simple.” (49:15)
• Management and Building Teams:
  Moved into football management to “give back to the game” and create opportunities for others.
  • “I wanted to be able to create those opportunities...I thought I could do it through the general manager role.” (50:50)
• Role Models in Management:
  Reached out to former coaches and executives like Will McClay, Gil Brandt, Bob Morris, and Jimmy Johnson for advice on personnel and leadership.

10. Evolving Team Dynamics and Player Mindset

• Adapting to the New Athlete:
  Johnston discusses challenges in leadership with today’s players, changing preparation habits, and the impact of social media and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals.
  • “The individual brand maybe becoming more important than the team brand...I don’t know how you win the championship when you’re that way.” (58:01)
• Preserving Old-School Values:
  Efforts to reinforce professionalism, team unity, and “being one of the 43” on game day.

11. Balance, Identity, and Integrity

• Maintaining Balance:
  Importance of prioritizing family, crediting his wife Diane as a partner and supporter throughout all career stages.
  • “You do what you have to do with what’s important in your life. You find a way to make it work. And I’ve had a great teammate with my wife Diane.” (61:37)
• Defining Identity:
  Johnston’s guiding principle: integrity and follow-through.
  • “If I say I’m going to do something, I want people to believe that that’s going to get done...I don’t want to be a person of words. I want to be a person of actions.” (64:49)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On What Makes a Championship Culture Special:
  “We transcended teammates and we got to the point where we were family...If something happens, everybody shows up.” (21:53)
• On Motivation:
  “I choose to prove those who believed in me right, that they had that faith and belief in me at that time when it was dark...” (15:47)
• On Leadership by Example:
  “If you’re 10 minutes early, you’re late...just watch me.” (25:12)
• On Integrity:
  “If I say I’m going to do something, I want people to believe that that’s going to get done...I want to be a person of actions.” (64:49)
• On Teamwork and Preparation:
  “We were playing against and practicing against some of the best players in the NFL on a daily basis.” (22:32)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Foundational Influences & Farm Work: 01:21–05:27
• Early Football & Coaches: 04:30–09:10
• Syracuse Years & Coaching Impact: 09:12–14:25
• Mindset and Motivation: 15:47–17:18
• NFL Transition & Cowboys Culture: 17:22–25:12
• Leadership Styles: 25:12–28:33
• Team Dynamics & Practice Intensity: 31:44–37:04
• Dealing with Injury: 38:34–41:57
• Broadcasting Transition: 42:13–49:15
• Move to Management: 50:45–56:56
• Adapting to the Modern Athlete: 55:18–59:31
• Thoughts on balance, family, and identity: 61:37–66:12

Closing

The episode is a reflective, honest deep-dive into Daryl Johnston’s journey, emphasizing resilience, humility, and the enduring importance of character, both in sports and life. Johnston’s story is a testament to the impact of work ethic, the power of positive coaching, and the value of leading by example. He stresses that core values—integrity, teamwork, and growth—transcend football, providing lessons for anyone seeking to make an impact.

“I don’t want to be a person of words. I want to be a person of actions.” – Darryl Johnston (64:49)