John Johnson’s interception in overtime revs up Rams’ NFC championship victory

Reporting from New Orleans â€”  John Johnson couldn’t resist. After the Rams safety made a huge interception in overtime, he broke into a taunting dance.

He hopped on one foot, grabbed invisible handlebars in front of him and twisted the throttle. Marcus Peters joined him in the celebration.

“Choppa style,� Johnson said, referring to the New Orleans Saints anthem of that name. “That’s what they do down here.�

Rams safety John Johnson celebrates his interception against the New Orleans Saints in overtime in the NFC championship game.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Johnson, you see, has friends on the Philadelphia Eagles, and he felt the Saints were mocking their dog-mask theme of last season by donning ski masks after they beat the Eagles in the divisional round.

“As soon as I found out we’d be playing [the Saints], I said, ‘We’ve got to do it,’ � he said. “I wanted to do that dance going into the locker room on a pick-six or something, but it came on that play.�

And what a huge play it was. On second and 16 from the New Orleans 34, Dante Fowler hit Drew Brees as he released a pass for Michael Thomas. The ball sailed high and Johnson ran backward to make the interception.

“It took forever,� Johnson said. “I was just hoping the receiver didn’t come to break it up. But it fell in my hands and I had to take advantage of it. I was actually backpedaling for it, so I felt like a center fielder.�

When he climbed to his feet, he felt like dancing.

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