By Jon Johnson
THATCHER – A staple on the sidelines of Thatcher games at John Mickelson Field and away since he was a mere lad, Thatcher Football Team Manager Brendan Johnson suddenly found himself thrust in a spot he never thought – rushing the ball for a touchdown against Tucson Sabino on Thursday night.
As improbable as that sentence is, that’s exactly what happened Thursday night in Thatcher’s 41-12 blowout victory over Sabino.
“It was awesome,” Brendan said. “It was truly a really awesome experience. I love all these guys; the coaches, the players, everybody.”
It was late in the third quarter with just 1:17 remaining and Thatcher was up 35-6 over Sabino when the Eagles were set up with a first and goal from the 3. Suddenly, Coach Daniel Jones’ bellowing voice was heard calling for the team’s manager, Brendan Johnson. But it wasn’t for water or an equipment issue, rather Jones said Johnson had to find a helmet because he was just the fullback he needed in this situation.
Brendan suffers from multiple sclerosis but he hasn’t let that stop him from performing as the team’s manager all four years in high school. And now, in his senior year, he got the moment of a lifetime as his number was called to carry the ball.
“He’s a warrior and he would’ve been on this field four years if he had the chance and I just wanted it for him,” coach Jones said. “It’s such a hard thing to set up – to arrange and ask another team to do, but coach McBrayer, he’s a hell of a dude – I threw it out there and he said, ‘Yeah if it kind of goes this way then we’ll do it.’ And we did it.”
Teammates helped Brendan to the field, but once there he stood alone and took the handoff from quarterback Chad Johnson. Brendan went right in the hole, and as Sabercats mimed diving at him for the tackle, he scored a touchdown as a Thatcher Eagle.
Brendan was shocked when his number was called and had no idea what coach Jones and the team had cooking.
“I’ve known all these guys since I was a little kid,” Brendan said. “They’re amazing people – amazing athletes. It’s just awesome to be around these guys. They’re humble and phenomenal to watch.”
After scoring the touchdown, teammates carried Brendan victoriously off the field. He then removed his helmet and gave high-fives to the coaches and players along the sideline as the crowd clapped and cheered.
“I love the kid,” coach Jones said. “He’s such a warrior, and it was just great to do it for him.”
For Brendan, there’s no place quite like the comfort of a Thatcher Eagles sideline underneath stadium lights with the smell of fresh-cut grass in the air.
“(There’s) nothing like it,” Brendan said. “I love being out here.”
