By Denny Deady | Published Thursday, September 25, 2008
I enjoy following the Paradise Panthers and the outstanding season they're having under their equally outstanding coach Danny Neighbors. I enjoy reading about them because it brings back so many wonderful memories of my friend Johnnie Campbell.
I enjoy following the Paradise Panthers and the outstanding season they're having under their equally outstanding coach Danny Neighbors. I enjoy reading about them because it brings back so many wonderful memories of my friend Johnnie Campbell.
Johnnie graduated from Paradise High School and after college returned to teach there and eventually become principal. For about 15 years, he was the voice of the Panthers. The old press box where Johnnie announced the home games is gone now, but his memory lingers, especially this year.
The Star Spangled Banner, played prior to kickoff, was provided by an 8-track tape player. Paradise had no band in those days, so the scratchy sound from the not-always-reliable tape player also provided music for the cheerleaders, who were responsible for the halftime show.
Johnnie's sidekick during most of his years in the "booth" was a schoolmate and friend since 1950, Phil Haynes. Phil ran the scoreboard clock, often feeding Johnnie info for his play-by-play commentary. Sometimes, Johnnie would repeat what Phil had just told him, without even thinking.
Like the night the Panthers played on a rain-drenched field. The field literally floated in water and both teams had trouble holding on to the ball. Following a fumble, Phil leaned over to Johnnie, and gave the number of the player who had recovered the ball "in the shallow end of the pool." Johnnie repeated it, and the crowd loved it.
One of Johnnie's more embarrassing moments came, compliments of his good friend, on a night when he was looking for Georgia Morris, the loveable school secretary. Using the microphone, he repeatedly asked Georgia to come to the pressbox. When there was no response, Phil prodded Johnnie, "Georgia Ruth, show yourself." Before he knew what he was doing, Johnnie repeated it and then realized what he had said and followed with, "Cancel previous request."
After Johnnie took a teaching job in the Metroplex, he continued his love of football by covering the Boyd Yellowjackets for us here at the Mess. He and his wife Bert kept stats and called in every Boyd game. It was a fight around here on Friday nights to take Johnnie's calls because he was so thorough in his game summary. He began every Friday night call with, "It was a great night for a football game."
During those years he had another sports assignment, undoubtedly his favorite, that of watching his grandson Dustin play football and baseball and run track. Dustin and his family, dad Kevin, mom Cindy and sister Laney, lived in North Richland Hills. No matter the playing field, Dustin could count on his Paw Paw and Maw Maw being in the stands.
Dustin and Laney spent many weekends and much of their summers in Paradise. They learned to ski on Lake Bridgeport and fish in Colorado and learned many of life's lessons from their Paw Paw.
"He taught me to give my full effort in everything I do and not to take anything for granted because it could all be taken away any second," said Dustin. "He grew up in the Depression and taught me to live life to the fullest.
"He taught me to plant a garden. He was awesome."
Johnnie lost a hard fought battle with cancer five years ago when Dustin was 12. Kevin moved his family "home" shortly thereafter.
Now 17, Dustin is a senior at Paradise High School. He plays wide receiver and cornerback for the Panthers, and I can't help but wonder what Johnnie and Phil would be up to in the pressbox these days. With Johnnie on the microphone and Dustin on the field, every Friday would be a great night for football.
