Sept. 21, 1999

Columbia, Mo. - by Maggie Hendricks MU Sports Information

Since his Pop Warner days with University City, football has been an important part of senior wide receiver/kick returner Arty Johnson?s life. However, football is not the only thing in his life.

Johnson is known as the performer of the Tiger squad. He often sings while walking through the halls of the Brookfield/Taylor complex. He has aspirations for acting, as well. ?If it wasn?t for football, I?d be in the movies,? Johnson said.

Arty?s talents do not go unnoticed by his teammates. Sophomore free safety J.R. Romine said that he can always count on Johnson to lighten the mood of practices.

?He is the entertainer of the team, and it makes practices a little easier,? Romine said. Another aspect of Johnson?s life that has his focus is Alexis, his three-year old daughter. ?When I left junior college, I had offers from different schools around the country,? Johnson said. ?But I knew I wanted to be close to Alexis, so I came to Mizzou,? he said.

Johnson is proud of the fact that Alexis has attended most of his games in the past. She will be in the stands tonight when Missouri takes on Nebraska.

The rest of Johnson?s family has also significantly influenced his life, both on and off the football field.

He began playing football as a child because his brothers and cousins had joined the team. Two of his cousins played at Grambling State, and his brother, John, is one of Arty?s motivating forces on the field. John no longer plays football, and Arty considers himself playing for both of them.

?I wear my brother?s number on my wrist during games,? he said. Johnson?s influences are not limited to his family. Deion Sanders of the Dallas Cowboys is a player that Johnson models himself after. Both are special teams players, and Johnson admires Sanders? playing style.

?Deion has no fear when he plays,? he said. ?That?s what I?m trying to get to,? he added. Johnson is admired by his teammates for more than just his playing abilities. His constant excitement is definitely contagious.

?Arty is always energetic, and working hard,? said senior cornerback Carlos Posey. Junior inside linebacker Jason Lewis noted that Johnson?s enthusiasm to play motivates the other players on the team.

?When we see Arty so excited, we all want to work harder,? said Lewis. Since walking on to the Tiger team in 1998, Johnson has been a leading punt returner for Missouri.

His 9.3 yard average on punt returns last season led the Tiger team. This season, he?s looking to make an even bigger impact.

He especially wants to be a force in tonight?s game against Nebraska.

?I?ve always wanted to play against Nebraska,? Johnson said. ?It?s especially been my dream to beat them since I was little.?