Alonzo Johnson, one of our best ever linebackers has passed away at 60 years old. He played high school ball at my alma mater, Panama City (Springfield) Rutherford and then played in the mid 80s for Coach Pell and Coach Hall. His tackles, TFL, and sack stats are good enough that I recall seeing them in the game day program at a recent game. Two-time All-American plus several other major selections. He had a rough life after football and the last two times I saw and talked to him he was down and out. I have been talking to a mutual friend here in PC the past couple weeks about Alonzo and was told that he was getting his life back in order. This news tonight struck me hard. RIP Alonzo; you were on the way back up and will be missed by Gator Nation.
I was at his (and my) high school (Rutherford) just five weeks ago looking into a memorial annual trophy that my teammates and I established twenty years ago and was disappointed to find no recognition of Alonzo in the football trophy case. Reid Fleming (UF linebacker) and Will Witherspoon (UGA) both had recognition so the Panhandle Gator Club and I began looking into getting ‘Zo a jersey in the case. A mutual friend talked to ‘Zo and he was supportive. Gonna confirm with ‘Zo’s family. Still waiting to hear back from the school, though. Gonna get through that barrier next week and we will keep the forum posted. edit: Already a long post but I failed to mention my shock and sadness considering all the activity around Alonzo I have been involved in the past few weeks. Prayers for all affected.
You’re clearly very close to the situation, thank you for the information. I hope they merge this thread into yours, and make your thread the thread. I just heard the very sad news tonight and to my surprise no one had started a thread about yet, so I did. From my understanding, someone had told me in the last year or so that Alonzo was struggling with some health issues. Don’t know if that was the case or not. What shame.
Who did you play for? My four siblings and I graduated from Bay, '72, '74, '76, '78 and '82. I remember seeing Alonso and his mom at one of those Gator gatherings at the Four Winds.
Very sad. RIP Alonzo. He was a star on a great D when I arrived in G'ville. That makes him much too young to pass.
I played at Pensacola Woodham. We came over and played them in PC. We won the District that year and lost to PC Mosley in the playoffs.
I live not far from Rutherford in the Cove and will be happy to help if needed. I ran into Alonzo a few times downtown and he was always willing to talk Gator football. Drugs took his life away. I don’t know that they actually killed him but he struggled for years so I’ve been told. He’s finally at peace.
I was in Zo's class of '81. We have a pretty strong alumni base for our class. Let's make this happen and do it right. If possible a separate memorial for him. Whatever funds we need to raise, it can be done. I'd be glad to go alongside you in this. I'll message you my info.
Sad thing is, from all reports I've gotten, he was making strides to break that addiction over the last year. A family member had stepped in and he was receptive for help, which hadn't happened before. Regardless, I never encountered him over the years that he wasn't the same soul I went through 12 years of school with.
One of the best LB’s to ever play at Florida. Watched many a games with him roaming Florida Field and terrorizing opponents offense, thanks for the wonderful memories Alonzo. R.I.P.
Yeah I don’t know what actually killed him but his addiction over the years caused him all kinds of legal troubles. He was still a pretty friendly guy. Last time I saw him I walked up to him and the first thing he said was “I didn’t do it whatever you think I did” and he was serious. I laughed and told him that I didn’t care about that and proceeded to tell him that I remember him being a great gator which made him perk up. He was still fairly big and fit for a 58yo.
I worked with a guy down in Miami that played OT for UM on the Vinny Testaverde teams and he said that Johnson was the toughest player he faced in his entire college career.
You are right about how fit Alonzo was in his fifties, at least he looked fit and strong. He did have a bad limp, though. He was remarkably humble and polite when I had brief encounters with him considering his circumstances. He ended our last short conversation with, “God bless”. I’m thankful that I had opportunities to chat with him, especially now.
I remember watching a college all star game after AJ's senior season, think it was the old Blue-Gray Game in Montgomery, and whenever the Blue had the ball the coach would look out on the field before he called the play and ask, "Where's number 93? He was an incredible linebacker and I enjoyed watching his Gators career. I believe he was drafted by Philadelphia and cocaine was his downfall. Too sad, and gone far too soon.
Rest in peace #93. Those Gator defenses that he played on were as tough and hard nosed as we have ever had - a real joy to watch.
RIP great Gator. Though I never met him, it saddens me to hear of his passing so relatively young. My sincere condolences to all who knew him and held him in their hearts.
