Patrick Johnson
St. Jude and Notre Dame students will be closely watching Sunday's Super Bowl game since alumnus Patrick Johnson will be taking part.
Johnson was a 2013 St. Jude grad, and he finished at Notre Dame High in 2017.
He went on to star at Tulane before beginning his NFL career. He is the all time sacks leader for the Green Wave.
On Friday at the two local schools, students "may come out of uniform (tops only) in St. Jude, Notre Dame, Tulane or Philadelphia Eagles spirit."
As a youth, Johnson often scheduled workouts with his grandfather, Vietnam veteran Jerry Fitzgerald, who had a passion for weight-lifting.
He was especially close to his dad, Kevin Johnson, who passed away unexpectedly while visiting him in New Orleans in 2020. As a result, Patrick did not participate in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Kevin Johnson played football for the UTC Mocs.
Asked who his biggest influence was, Patrick Johnson said, "My father. Me and him, we bonded over football a lot. He actually played football in college. Me and him were very, very close and very similar people."
Patrick Johnson