Johnson ‘fired up’ about Shrine Bowl
Special to the Gasette
Originally published 12:55 p.m., June 27, 2008
Updated 12:55 p.m., June 27, 2008
His football playing days are far from over, but Basehor-Linwood’s Swede Johnson is already preparing for career that will require another kind of helmet.
The 6-foot, 2-inch, 290-pound lineman has taken the first steps towards becoming either a police officer or a fireman. In 2007, he attended the American Legion Cadet Law Enforcement Camp in Salina. This spring, he earned the status of a probationary firefighter in the Fairmont Township Fire Department near his home. His new status means that he has earned the right, among other things, to enter burning buildings.
Johnson says his interest in police and fire work comes naturally.
“My dad was a police officer,” he says. “Just being around it sparked my interest. I enjoy helping people. And our school has a program where we can go down to the fire station every other day to work as firefighters. Since I like helping people, I thought it would be a good idea.”
He hasn’t had the chance to enter a building fire — yet.
“I’ve helped with a barn fire,” he says. “But we didn’t go into the building.”
His “helping” attitude carries over into football. The Kansas Football Coaches Association’s 4A All-State lineman says it doesn’t matter which side of the ball he plays on, offense or defense.
“I’d rather play on the side of the ball where I can help the team the most,” he says. “In a 4A program, we didn’t have enough people for me to pick one side or the other, so I played both, and on special teams.”
He will have a chance to test his skills against other outstanding players not once, but twice, this summer. On June 19, he played in the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association all-star game, a contest that pits metro players in Kansas against their Missouri counterparts. Now it is on to the Kansas Shrine Bowl in Emporia.
He sees playing in both games as a plus.
“I get to play in two really good games against guys that will be going to the next level of the same caliber,” he says. “I’ll be more ready than most freshman going into college because I’ve had two more games than the rest. The practices will also get me ready, especially practicing in the heat.”
Johnson will begin his college career at Butler Community College in El Dorado. He says it “worked out” for him to start at a community college, partly because it’s less expensive.
“It should be a good experience. I’ll have a chance to develop my skills, and hopefully transfer to a four-year school.”
Johnson is only the third player from Basehor-Linwood, a school on the outskirts of the Kansas City metro area, to be chosen to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl. He says that makes being chosen an even higher honor. “I’m proud of that accomplishment,” he says.
About the Bowl
Kickoff for this year’s Shrine Bowl at Welch Stadium in Emporia is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 26. Proceeds from all Shrine Bowl events support the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 hospitals that provide expert, no-cost orthopedic, burn, and spinal care to children under 18. Children are admitted free to Shriners Hospitals for Children without regard for race, religion, nationality, creed, or relationship to a Shriner.
Advance reserved chairback tickets for the game cost $20. Adult general admission tickets are $9 in advance. Student tickets (K-12) are $5 in advance.
Other Shrine Bowl events scheduled in Emporia on July 26 include: an open 5K Road Race that includes 60 cross country all-star runners; a one-mile Fun Run/Walk; a giant Shrine parade; an arts and crafts fair; a kids’ fair; a high school combine; a poker run for bikes, autos and trucks; and a free fashion show.
For information or tickets, call the Shrine Bowl office at (800) 530-5524.