(STATE COLLEGE, PA) - The State College Spikes announced that Kansas City Chiefs running back and former Penn State star Larry Johnson will be at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Opening Night, June 19th, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the season. Johnson, a State College native, was a member of the Penn State football team from 1998 - 2002, rushing for over 2,000 yards and finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
"It's an honor to have Larry Johnson here to kick off the 2008 season," said Rick Janac, General Manager of the State College Spikes. "He is not only one of the best players in the NFL, but also has deep ties to the Centre County community. He was a perfect fit to throw out the first pitch of the season."
The 2008 season will mark Johnson's sixth season with the Chiefs, who selected the running back in the first round of the 2003 draft. Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowler, set the Chiefs single-season rushing yards record (1,750) and the NFL single-season carries record (416) in 2007.
Johnson has excelled in his NFL career not only on the field, but off the field as well. He became the first player in the NFL to adopt the Junior Player Development program, which the Kansas City Missouri School district has used since 2004 for their middle school football program. As part of the program, Johnson served as a volunteer coach each week. He established the "L.J.'s Legacy and Growth Youth Foundation" to enhance the lives of youth and to promote development. For the past two years, Johnson has hosed an Easter Egg Hunt for 1,000 children at the Chiefs' practice fields and in 2007 received the Pop Warner Inspiration to Youth Award.
The 28-year-old comes from a Penn State athletic family. Johnson's father, Larry Johnson, Sr. is currently the defensive line coach for the Nittany Lions. His brother, Tony, played wide receiver for Penn State and his sister, Teresa, played third base for the softball team.
Johnson played in 46 games throughout his career with the Nittany Lions, recording 460 carries for 2,953 yards with 26 touchdowns. He became the first player in college football history to average over 7.5 yards per carry and the first to lead the nation in rushing and all-purpose yardage in the same season. While at Penn State, the running back won the Doak Walker Award, the Walter Camp and Maxwell Club Player of the Year Award, the Chevrolet National Offensive Player of the Year Award and finished third in Heisman Trophy balloting. He was also a unanimous first-team All-America and All-Big Ten selection.
As a senior at State College Area High School, Johnson ran for 2,159 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also played defensive end for the Little Lions and as a senior earned honorable mention All-American honors from USA Today.
The Spikes begin their 2008 season on June 17 when they travel to Jamestown. The team will return home on June 19 to begin their home schedule at 7:05 p.m. against the Jamestown Jammers (Florida Marlins). All tickets for the 2008 Spikes season are on sale now and can be purchased at the Box Office at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, by calling (814) 272-1711 or online at www.statecollegespikes.com.
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