This is how I remember Alonzo Johnson. Watch the third down. A great Gator and a great goal line stand. RIP Alonzo. Goal Line Stand (youtube.com)
About 3-4 years ago, on July 4th party in North Georgia, I met Steve Wallace. He had played LT for Auburn when Bo Jackson was the RB. Wallace ended up playing for years with 49ers and was the LT for Joe Montana. He was All-Pro. So we started talking football. Games, players, etc. Then I asked the question, with him not needing to appease me. "Who was the absolute toughest player to block?" Seriously, I expected some great All Pro HOF NFL player. He didn't pause, he said, "Alonzo Johnson at Florida. He was un-blockable". He spoke of other players but kept with Zo as the greatest vs the pass and run. I was at the 1985 game vs Auburn at Auburn when SW went against Zo w/ Bo in the backfield. We won with a late TD, Kerwin Bell pass to John L Williams got us near for the final TD. 14-10. The hitting was incredibly loud since I was on Row 1. One of the hardest fought games ever. And yes, Bo left early.
Said I would update, so here it is. RHS football coach called me last week and he is all in on recognizing Alonzo at the school (and on getting the Cody David Walker Memorial Award back on track). He is excited that alumni are interested in bringing attention to school history and starting new traditions like his idea of a tailgate party for homecoming. I am confident that RHS alum will come through on this. Also have talked to Alonzo’s family and they are all in, too. I hope that lots of Gators in the area turn out at the funeral which is tentatively scheduled for 11am next Saturday February 17th at RHS. I say tentatively because as of this morning only Alonzo’s passing has been published to my knowledge ( Battle Funeral Home). Go Old Gators
With the hope that a few folks could orchestrate a meaningful tribute to Alonzo Johnson by getting a vintage #93 jersey to his funeral in lieu of flowers seeming highly unlikely to materialize, I have had a simpler tribute on my mind for several days. Maybe someone else working in parallel can be more successful with a meaningful tribute from UF, but from me... A Small Tribute Zo, First, I must declare that I have no authority to preach to anyone about anything. I do know, however, that it is not our place to judge our fellow man. And I know in my heart that it is our charge to try to uplift each other in any way we can, whether temporally or spiritually. I was at UF when you were there dominating our football opponents, and I knew who you were the first time I saw you walking on a sidewalk in Panama City many years ago. You were usually covered in construction dust, with either drywall or stucco mud on your work boots. After seeing you several times over several years I saw you near the old city hall by the marina and took the opportunity to introduce myself. I explained that you didn’t know me, but that you were on the Rutherford football team with my younger brother Chris. You said that you remembered Chris and you were thoughtful enough to ask where he was and how he was doing. We chatted ever so briefly and parted ways with a couple of “Go Gators”. The last time I saw you was after our hometown had been devastated by Hurricane Michael. I was at McKenzie Park downtown helping the city figure out which big oak trees needed to be taken down due to hurricane damage and what the city could do to renovate the park. I saw you there several days in a row. On the last day that I was there as I was about to drive away I was prompted to get out of my truck and talk to you again. Perhaps I thought that I could lift your spirits a bit. I reintroduced myself and you replied, “Yes sir, I remember you”. I immediately told you, “Please don’t call me sir, I’m just an old Ram and Gator like you”. We once again chatted a bit about the Gators and I told you that your hometown and Gator Nation are proud of you…and I meant it. At the end of our chat I said, “As always, Go Rams… and Go Gators”. You added, “Go Gators,” and I turned to leave. Then you said a simple, “God Bless”. Alonzo, you turned the tables on me. To think that I could maybe uplift you a bit at that moment didn’t seem to be the reason for our chat. You, sir, had instead lifted my spirits. Hearing very recently that you were doing so much better and had turned the corner was also uplifting to me, and to your family, friends, and teammates. One last time for you, Alonzo, “Go Gators”. Sincerely, Just an Old Ram and Gator
Zo’s family will receive visitors 3 - 6 pm this Friday at Battle Mortuary at 1123 MLK Blvd in Panama City, FL. His obit is now posted on Battle’s website.
