Yukon’s Michael Johnson
By Bryce McKinnis
Football has always been part of Michael Johnson’s life.
“My dad, brothers and cousins all played,” the Yukon High School senior defensive lineman said. “And my whole family has always been big fans of the game.”
Johnson, heralded around Yukon for his exceptional dedication to the game, understands well that discipline is a core value of success on the gridiron.
“I’ve been playing football for about 6 years, and what motivated me to start was just the love that my family has for the game. Growing up surrounded by football made me love the game early on, and I started playing as soon as I was old enough,” Johnson said. “Football pushes you to be mentally tough and accountable, which is why I was drawn to it.”
Four years ago, Johnson suffered serious knee injury, breaking his tibia and dislocating his kneecap during a game. He missed the remainder of the season, but he defaulted to that familiar discipline to expedite his recovery. He returned better than ever.
“During that time, I leaned heavily on my teammates, coaches and family for support, and I committed myself to the recovery process,” Johnson said. “That perseverance allowed me to come back stronger than before.”
If discipline and resilience are the two most important factors in Johnson’s football success, the third is his competitive nature. His favorite memory was helping his team secure a double-overtime win against Santa Fe on Week 9 last season. As the Millers have made a strong start this season with wins over Putnam City, Sapulpa and Westmoore, he expects to finish strong.
“I hope to make the playoffs this season and make a run for the state title,” Johnson said. “After high school, I hope to continue playing football at the next level while also getting a degree in sports medicine. I hope to always strive to accomplish my goals and work to be the best version of myself every day.”
