Johnny Bright, Champion

by Warrick Lee Barrett

A man of limitless talent, unending benevolence and the courage of a lion, captured the hearts of millions when he rose to fame as an athlete. but Johnny Bright, Champion excelled in more than just the sports arena. He overcame countless obstacles to beocme a master in the game of life. Johnny Bright was challenged by poverty, discrimination and poor sportsmanship, including an episode notorious enough to earn a photojournalistic Pulitzer Prize. Still, he combined intelligence and exceptional atheltic ability with an enthusiastic dedication to turn obstacles into opportunities for self-improvement. A poineer among black student-athletes, and the original National Football League first-round draftee to "head north," Bright was recognized as one of the Canadian Football League's greatest running backs of all time. Once he had mastered football, he became an outstanding coach and educator, deevoting the rest of his life to children. Johnny Bright, Champion is a success metaphor, providing an inspiration to anyone hoping to turn mere dreams into reality.

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2000

Reviews

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique book for me to read and review. My grandfather was a principal in Edmonton, and Johnny Bright was one of his teachers. My dad was also at the school as a student, and he had Johnny Bright as his teacher. Johnny used to call my dad ‘Charlie,’ which is my grandfather’s name.

This book shows the tremendous positive impact Johnny Bright had on people who knew him. He was a phenomenal football player who overcame adversity and racism to make the world a better place. From his early life and choice to get out of the gang lifestyle to his college career at Drake, to his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos, and subsequent years as a teacher, Johnny strove to be a champion to everyone around him.

[Mary Baumer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My father Joe Tarazewich played college football with Johnny Bright at Drake University back in the late 1940's and early 10950's. Johnny was the best athlete to come out of Drake. He was selected in the first round NFL draft.

He was the victim of an intentional racially motivated on filed assault on 10/20/51 by an opposing college football player from Oklahoma A &M that was captured in a Pulitzer prize winning photo sequence.

He later became a teacher, coach and principal. Devoting the rest of his life to children.

I'm glad I read this book. I just wish my father or Johnny were around to discuss it.