"He's one of the nicest guys around," says an NFL insider who has worked with the ex-San Francisco 49ers player and current Jessica Simpson plaything.
The source notes, later stating the obvious a bit by adding, "I'm surprised he is dating Jessica Simpson. She is such a big star and he is so reserved."
The guy also went to Yale ... go figure!
Johnson, who also played briefly for the New Orleans Saints, definitely has experience with the limelight, however, having excelled in sports all his life.
Former NFL star Eric Johnson couldn't catch on with a pro team for that long ... but he's got quite a catch in Jessica Simpson. Here's hoping he doesn't fumble it away.
The 6' 3" Needham, Mass., native broke 11 school records while playing wide receiver for Yale University. He's also a former academic All-American.
Called "The Big Nerd" by Yale friends, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, "He's very smart, and one of the most down-to-earth athletes I know."
Simpson began dating Johnson in May after friends introduced them. He's currently separated from his wife, Keri, who filed for divorce earlier this year.
"He is the polar opposite of what you think of when you say 'player,' " says the source who knows him well. "When I met him, he was driving a Prius."
