Only three streets away from each other in Louisiana, Marcus Cromartie and Robert Johnson would pack everything up because of Hurricane Katrina and ironically move 10 hours away to the same high school.

Little did they know, that Johnson would be Cromartie’s football coach from his sophomore to senior year and friend for much longer.

“I had great teachers, great people and great support staff,” Cromartie said. “They did a great job of making it feel like I didn’t just get there.”

When Cromartie first arrived at the school his new football coach said they had an automatic connection.

“I took him in like a son,” Johnson said. “We were family, immediately. His family, my family, the situation with the hurricane; we went through Hurricane Katrina together.”

His love of football developed over time.

“I had a competitive family background with all sports,” Cromartie said. “Everything you do, we have to do it better. Football was something a lot of my family was in, something I grew up on.”

Cromartie’s former high school rival was football player Eric Akinyeye, who said he eventually developed a close relationship with the new kid.

“He is very well-rounded and willing to help,” Akinyeye said. “We had some competition at first, then after that we were best friends.”

Akinyeye said Cromartie was a positive influence on him.

“He was a great friend and told me to always put God first,” Akinyeye said.

Cromartie signed with the San Diego Chargers in March of 2013 as an undrafted free agent.

“It was definitely an uphill battle,” he said. “When you go undrafted you have to work so much harder than everyone else.”

Coach Johnson said he was anxious as he watched the draft.

“The draft was rough,” he said. “It was a big ‘Thank you, God.’ Just a dream come true.”

Cromartie is currently playing on special teams for the Chargers.

“I love my team and being with them,” he said. “They are great guys.”

Johnson said he still remembers the times he shared with Cromartie.

“I remember it was one of the first times he was coming back home, and he got so excited over crawfish,” Johnson said. “He looked at it as if he had never seen them before and this little kid smile appeared across his face.”

As Cromartie continues the season, he said he has high hopes for himself and the team.

“I hold myself to high standards,” he said. “I just want my team to do good and become more successful every week.”