Originally published January 1, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified January 1, 2007 at 11:06 PM

After game-winning score, Johnson proposes

Boise State's Ian Johnson is a spur-of-the moment kind of guy, so why not pop the question to his girlfriend on the field in the frenzied aftermath of the Broncos' 43-42...

The Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz.– Boise State's Ian Johnson is a spur-of-the moment kind of guy, so why not pop the question to his girlfriend on the field in the frenzied aftermath of the Broncos' 43-42 overtime victory in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday night?

Moments after the sophomore running back raced to the end zone for the game-winning, 2-point conversion, Johnson was thinking about asking his girlfriend, Broncos cheerleader Chrissy Popadics, to marry him.

He made the decision to go ahead with it, he said, "as soon as the camera got on me."

"I had the ring in my room," Johnson said. "I was waiting for us to go back to California but the moment just hit. There was no better time."

His girlfriend held his hand tightly on the field and couldn't quite believe what had happened.

"I'm in shock," she said. "I've got all these emotions in me. I think I'm going to pass out."

It took awhile or her to realize Johnson was asking her to marry her.

"I think it finally hit her and she finally figured it out," he said, "and she eventually did say yes."

Quarterback Jared Zabransky said he'd heard rumblings that Johnson was thinking about proposing.

"I'm sure it probably wouldn't have been as romantic if we would have lost," Zabransky said.

Defensive back Marty Tadman said Johnson "is a little different guy."

"When you think of Ian Johnson proposing to his girlfriend, you've got to think of the weirdest circumstance that he could possible do it," Tadman said. "I think this was it."

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