A 1973 graduate of Sheffield Hi School Johnny was a gifted athlete in basketball, football, and baseball. In basketball, he was a tree-year starter and was selected All-County as well as All-Quad Cities for two years. In football, he started for two years and was All-State as a wide receiver his senior year. As a baseball player, he was for three years playing center field third base, catcher and pitcher, He pitched two no hitters, played in the East-West All-Star game and was chosen All-State game and was chosen All-State by the Birmingham News.

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After high school he signed to play football for Florence State (UNA), but left after one year to play baseball at Calhoun Junior College. While there, he was selected to the All-State and All-District Teams both years. Follow those years at Calhoun, he signed to play for the University f Alabama where he ed the SEC in home runs. As a junior, he batted .336 and was on the All-Sec West Team.

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After college, Johnny began a successful coaching career and is currently the head football coach at Dora High School.