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Since October of 2003, East Carolina senior deep snapper Britt Johnson has had the chance to do one thing that each particular person ought to be so lucky to do sooner or later in life, reside his or her dream. Johnson’s dream, for so long as he can bear in mind, was to be a soccer participant at East Carolina College.
“I’ve been an East Carolina Pirate for so long as I can bear in mind. I’m 22 proper now, so I assume technically I’ve been one for about 19 years. After being born into such a powerful East Carolina household, I did not have any selection and I am very glad that I did not.”
Johnson’s mother and father, Don and Wanda, each of whom are ECU graduates, had been carrying their son to ball video games in Greenville lengthy earlier than he had any consciousness of what was happening. Don was not solely an ECU alumnus, however he had additionally been a supervisor through the extraordinarily profitable Pat Dye period.
The Johnson’s reside in Rocky Mount, which is simply a couple of 45-minute drive from Greenville. This has been a handy place to name dwelling by means of the years with as many journeys because the household has made to the Emerald Metropolis. Britt loves his hometown, which he refers to as “The Rock,” however he additionally realizes how dwelling so near Greenville has benefited him so far as his household with the ability to attend his video games.
His youthful brothers, Will (19) and Grant (16), are each diehard Pirates, however they’re additionally chasing their very own athletic goals. Will is a baseball participant at Barton Faculty in Wilson, which is about half-hour from Greenville, whereas Grant’s enjoying a number of sports for the Rocky Mount Gryphons. Nonetheless, regardless of some conflicts, they can make most of their older brother’s video games. This implies loads to their “older bro” and is one thing he undoubtedly doesn’t take with no consideration.
“It is an awesome feeling on Saturday’s to lookup within the stands and see my brothers Will and Grant decked out of their purple and gold and see them cheering and supporting me whereas I am dwelling my dream.”
Johnson additionally values the presence of his grandparents at his video games, however extra importantly the help they’ve at all times provided him.
“It is also been nice to see all of my grandparents at my video games.”
Jack and Doril Henderson, his mother’s mother and father, have not missed a recreation.
“Since I have been on the staff they have not missed a recreation and so they additionally made positive that they joined the Pirate Membership. They’re, certainly, diehard Pirates.”
His dad’s mother and father, Donald and Mildred Johnson, are simply as supportive.
“They’ve supported me all through my complete life and adopted all of my athletic endeavors. I’m extraordinarily grateful for that.”
This proximity to East Carolina has allowed the Rocky Mount native to solely miss three Pirate dwelling soccer video games since 1987. Britt’s first reminiscences of attending an ECU recreation are from that 1987 season.
“The primary recreation I ever bear in mind attending at East Carolina was in 1987 when ECU performed Florida State. The factor that I bear in mind probably the most was that I wished to depart the sport with 12 minutes left within the first quarter. My dad positive did not let that occur and I am glad that he did not as a result of I’d by no means consider leaving a recreation early now.”
Following his commencement from Rocky Mount Excessive Faculty, the previous Gryphon middle and deep snapper knew that he was going to attend East Carolina to pursue his lifelong dream of enjoying soccer for his beloved Pirates.
On account of his lack of dimension, the 5-8, 223 pound Johnson knew his area of interest could be at deep snapper. After arriving at ECU, he went out for the staff twice, however was unsuccessful on every try. Annoyed, the diehard Pirate contemplated forfeiting his dream, however he knew that he could not give up as a result of that is not what Pirates do.
On September thirtieth, 2003, Johnson was attending East Carolina’s Tuesday evening dwelling recreation on ESPN in opposition to the Houston Cougars when he was introduced together with his alternative as the results of an harm to the Pirates’ beginning deep snapper.
“Brandon Howard, our lengthy snapper, was damage that evening,” Johnson recalled. “We noticed him limp off the sphere and he did not come again. After the sport, I went and waited on the locker room and he informed me he’d torn his ACL.”
“A pair days later, I walked as much as Coach McManus’s workplace. He was the particular groups coach on the time, however he was not in his workplace so I form of swallowed arduous and stated to myself, ‘Effectively, I obtained to go to the large canine.’ So I went to John Thompson’s workplace and after I walked in I began to introduce myself and he stated, ‘Britt, I already know who you’re. We had been about to name you.’
“He informed me to indicate up at observe the following day able to snap for him. I went on the market and snapped and ended up dressing for the rest of the season. I have been on the staff ever since.”
Whereas Johnson did fulfill his objective of creating the staff at ECU, may his expertise within the purple and gold appear considerably incomplete if he by no means will get on the sphere to play a snap?
“Not an opportunity. I might actually love to have the ability to snap subsequent 12 months as a senior if I get that chance, but when not, I can nonetheless stroll away with my head held excessive understanding that I fulfilled my childhood dream. It is simply nice to be an East Carolina Pirate.”
With Johnson’s senior season on the horizon, he mirrored again on his fondest reminiscence as a member of the East Carolina soccer staff.
“Definitely, my favourite reminiscence as a participant was strolling into the locker room earlier than the Carolina recreation and seeing my jersey and pants sitting there in my locker, understanding that I used to be about to placed on the jersey that I had dreamed of carrying my complete life. Placing on the jersey, operating by means of the tunnel with the smoke and listening to 46,000 followers yelling their lungs out for you, it was a sense like I had by no means skilled in my life.”
He cannot wait to expertise that very same feeling six extra instances earlier than his enjoying days are completed.
Being such a diehard and lifelong Pirate, Johnson is sure to have some nice Pirate memories-games, seasons, players-aside from his days on the staff.
“My favourite reminiscence as a fan, by far, was attending to expertise the complete 1991 season and with the ability to watch the comeback within the Peach Bowl in opposition to NC State.”
“My favourite ECU participant must be Jeff Blake. He’s the primary quarterback that I can actually bear in mind seeing his entire profession. The quarterback that led ECU to the promised land in 1991!”
Throughout his time at East Carolina, not solely did he get to reside his lifelong dream of being on the Pirate soccer staff, however he additionally made many nice pals by means of soccer, ones that he’ll always remember.
“My most missed reminiscence will most likely be not seeing the blokes that I’ve seen on a regular basis of my life for the final 4 years. Our friendships will final perpetually, however it simply will not be the identical. I can even miss the sensation that you simply get on recreation day understanding that you’re about to enter battle along with your brothers, the sensation of understanding that you’re prepared to die for these guys on the sphere each Saturday!”
As Johnson’s time as a Pirate participant winds down, he spoke about the way forward for the East Carolina program underneath the management of Skip Holtz.
“We’re a program on the rise,” Johnson stated. “Coach Holtz is nice and he has surrounded himself with a workers that’s nearly as good as any we now have had right here at East Carolina in a very long time. Anticipate massive issues to start out occurring right here. I simply hope that everyone will soar on board and are available on and get on the ship with us. It is gonna be a enjoyable journey.”
On November 11, 2006, East Carolina will host the Marshall Thundering Herd on Senior Day. One can solely think about the bittersweet ideas that will probably be operating by means of Britt Johnson’s head as he runs out into Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for the ultimate time.
“It may be a really unhappy day for me. This can be a day that I’ve been dreading ever since I obtained to ECU. Figuring out that this would be the final recreation of my life goes to be very robust. I am going to most likely be crying and simply grateful for the chance that the Lord gave me to be part of this program. I am going to kiss my mother, hug my dad, wave to my household within the stands, after which go get able to beat Marshall! It’s going to additionally really feel good to know that this technically will not be my final recreation at dwelling as a result of I plan on us Hosting the convention championship recreation!”
Sadly this dream, as all goals, will come to an finish, however what a dream it has been! Britt Johnson would not need to be woke up simply but although, as he hopes the dream he’s dwelling will conclude together with his Pirates profitable a bowl recreation.
When the dream does finish, although, relaxation assured that this Pirate will probably be bleeding purple and sweating gold till the day he dies.
