Former Football Player, Johnson, Likes the Background

Former 49er Johnson Works in the Background
by John Devine, Monterey Herald

July 6, 2006

He's quiet and unassuming.

Glance in a crowd of more than 800 kids and Ron Johnson fits right in, albeit he's a few inches taller than the kids he's coaching.

The limelight is not an attraction for him, never has been.

Being behind the scenes seems to suit Johnson's ego just fine.

Looking like he could still run precise routes for the Philadelphia Eagles, the team he spent five years with in the 1980s, Johnson doesn't care to share his past heroics.

Unless it's brought up, you won't hear Johnson telling people that he caught a touchdown pass in the 1986 playoffs and averaged 18.1 yards a catch during his NFL career.

"I don't care if people know or not," Johnson said. "I'm just trying to take something that I learned and pass it on to today's youth."

For 15 years, Johnson has worked with the Seaside Boys and Girls Club, where he has become the vice president of operations.

Johnson has also never missed a chance to work at the Herman Edwards Football Camp. He is one of the main cogs in the success of the camp of youths, which is being held at CSU-Monterey Bay this week.

"He's one of the originals," said Edwards, who played one year with Johnson in Philadelphia. "He quietly does a lot. He's a big part of this camp."

Edwards didn't bring any professional athletes to the camp this year, in part, because of the likes of Johnson, whose roots remain on the Peninsula.

"I wanted the kids to realize the people and coaches that are here are role models," Edwards said. "Ron is a big part of this community."

While his lean 6-foot-4 frame and large hands fit the profile of an NFL receiver, Johnson is far from today's flamboyant receivers named Johnson -- Keyshawn and Chad.

Soft-spoken, yet firm, Johnson's mild-manners are a perfect fit for the group of youths starving for attention and instruction.

Yet, as the 1976 Monterey graduate will explain to you, he's not just a coach.

"I wanted to make an impact on kids' lives," Johnson said. "But I didn't want it to revolve just around football. There are so many life lessons. I want them to learn something each day."

Which is why the Edwards camp fits Johnson's persona. It's just an extension of what he teaches on a daily basis at the Boys and Girls Club.

"This camp isn't just about football," Johnson said. "It's a lot more than that. Herm makes the kids accountable for themselves. He wants kids to be successful."

Before joining the Eagles in 1985, Johnson spent three years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, playing with current Cal coach Jeff Tedford.
Once Johnson landed in Philadelphia, he had a knack for keeping alive drives, compiling 61 career catches for 1,105 yards and four touchdowns.

"Most of my catches were third-and-long or plus 20," said Johnson, who was a teammate of former North Salinas star Anthony Toney at Philadelphia. "Most of my catches were on deep routes."

Johnson had the distinction of playing in the infamous "Fog Bowl" in the 1988 playoffs against the Bears in Chicago, in which the weather shut down the Eagles' potent passing game.

"Our only concern coming to the stadium was whether it would be warmer than 32 degrees," Johnson recalled. "When we got there, it was a picture perfect blue sky."
By halftime, the fog was so thick and entrenched in the bowl of Soldier Field, that Johnson couldn't see across the field, or even a ball thrown 10 yards from him.

"We couldn't throw the ball," said Johnson, who spent one season at MPC. "On a clear day, we would have won that game. They couldn't have matched up with us."

While he hasn't been back to Philadelphia, he relished his time in the City of Brotherly Love, and still remains in touch with former Pro Bowl receiver Mike Quick.

"I had a good time playing in Philadelphia," Johnson said. "It was intense with (coach) Buddy Ryan. But in looking back, I appreciated his style. I don't miss the (artificial) turf field."

One thing that keeps Johnson from becoming a football coach is a close friend of his, who as a coach has had 10 jobs in 10 different cities.

"He's had to move his family 10 times," Johnson said. "I know the hours he puts in. That is not my cup of tea. This is enough of a fix for me."

Johnson still follows the Eagles, even roots for them. But his home is on the Peninsula. He's found his niche working with kids, teaching them the values of life as well as sports.
Whether the former Long Beach State receiver is slinging a pass or putting his arm around a kid and smiling, Johnson is in his element around kids.

"I prefer this," Johnson said. "I have an opportunity to make a difference. How many jobs offer that?"


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