C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Week 16 ejection was a lesson that I have to grow up

Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson wasn't around for the tail end of the Eagles' Week 16 loss to the Commanders because he was ejected after picking up two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and it didn't take long in Week 17 for him to show the team what they were missing.

Gardner-Johnson picked off Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush on Dallas's first possession of the game and he returned the ball 69 yards for a touchdown to stake the Eagles to a 7-0 lead. He'd have another interception later in a 41-7 win that wrapped up the NFC East for the Eagles.

After the game, Gardner-Johnson said he didn't derive additional motivation from the ejection but did take it a chance to realize that he needs to focus on being on the field for a team that needs his presence.

"I think it was a learning lesson," Gardner-Johnson said, via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I got to grow the hell up because this team obviously needs me when I’m here. I ain’t saying like in a way as though I’m a superstar. My presence is being out there with the guys and having fun. It hurt me not being out there and see them losing. We could have clinched the week before. But had to step up and look myself in the mirror, understand this is a team game, not a me game.”

Gardner-Johnson played a big role in helping the Eagles to the Super Bowl two years ago and he'll try to do the same once the postseason gets underway next month.