The Hansons are a family brought together by ambition and providing unconditional support for the pursuit of their dreams. Hanson’s oldest brother, Tim, is an aeronautical engineer. His sister, Katie, is a zoologist. Johnson is currently a psychiatric technician with the state prison in Rhode Island, and hopes to return home and attend the New Jersey State Police Academy in a few months.
“And I’m just a football player,” Hanson said with a laugh.
Jokes aside, as a political science major and environmental science minor, Hanson hopes to someday pursue a career centered around protection, security and taking care of others at the highest level. And he’s grateful to have the support to chase his dreams, both on the field and beyond.
“Everybody in my family is doing special things,” he said. “Everyone has faith in each other, which I think is truly the most special part. What everything comes down to is that believing and having faith not only in yourself, but in the people around you, can create an environment that's truly special.”
Though he saw plenty of success and Division I offers as a high school player, there was a point in high school when Hanson questioned whether football was right for him. His junior season, despite all his hard work, he’d lost out on a starting job, and at the time, it deflated him.
“I had a hard time in high school,” he said. “It was just a difficult environment, and up until my senior year, I didn't really have confidence in myself.”
Even short of the starting experience, Holy Cross offered him based on his size and potential alone. While he worked to gain his confidence back, his mother reminded him — as she does all her children — tough times don’t last, tough people do. And Hanson didn’t waver from his passion and his gratitude.
“He can be stubborn,” Macchia said, “but it got him to where he is today. He's not going to give up if he wants something. He's going to go for it. But at the same time, he's the kindest, most loving kid out there. He's not afraid to show his emotions at all.”
Hanson put his faith in Holy Cross, because he could sense that the coaches’ love was there.
“To be at such a low point two years beforehand, thinking about even quitting, and then getting blessed with this opportunity — having people show me that passion and that faith in me, it really is a testament to how big of a blessing this is,” Hanson said.
Looking back, four championship rings later, he’s unconditionally grateful that he stuck it out — not only for the success at Holy Cross, but for the ways he’s grown as a person. His confidence was restored. He’s become more and more vocal. Holy Cross is where he fits in, and it’s become the place he belongs.
“When I got here, my confidence just kept building and building and building,” he said. “And everyone here has taught me truly what it means to be a good football player and a good human being.”
His growth, maturity and dedication have led to success on the field, but also earned him the role of captain and a valued, trusted voice for his entire team. Freshman-year C.J. compared to fifth-year C.J. provides a significant contrast — but what’s changed the most?
“Just my attitude toward life,” he said. “This place has truly made me realize what being a great man is.”
