Ex-Arizona football player graduates more than 30 years after playing career

Sometimes a trip back to the old stomping grounds changes lives — and inspires people to return to the classroom. At least that's what happened to former Arizona Wildcat and former All-Pac-10 cornerback Ke Shon Johnson, who graduated from the UA this week. 

Before re-enrolling, Johnson took his last UA course in 1993, several months after playing his last game for the Wildcats in 1992. 

Three decades after leaving Arizona for the NFL, Johnson returned to the UA for alumni weekend and reunited with teammate Darryl Morrison, whose wife, JoAnn, mentioned "Cats Forever," a program that assists former student-athletes in graduating. 

"She knew I didn't graduate back then and I thought it was a super interesting program," Johnson said. "If you're a student-athlete at the U of A and you didn't finish your degree for whatever reason, they would still take care of the tuition and honor the scholarship that they offered you regardless of how many years ago it was." 

Johnson initially thought he only had eight or nine classes and said, "That's too close to not get it done." In reality, Johnson needed 12 classes to get his degree in interdisciplinary studies. 

"Twelve classes later, here I am," Johnson said. "I'm ready to graduate and I look forward to all of the things that come my way afterwards." 

Johnson grew up in Fresno, California, and starred at Edison High School, the alma mater of former Arizona defensive back Robert Golden, who's the founder of the first K-8 school — named Golden Charter Academy — with its curriculum centered around a zoo. The school is located near the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. 

Johnson's grandson, Michael, will play under Golden, who was a head coach, in the U.S. Army "Best of the West All-Star Game" at Sunnyside High School in Fresno, a showcase for the best football players in Central California. Golden's mother, Rolinda, hired Ke Shon Johnson out of high school to work at Medical Meals Bakery in Fresno.

Johnson started his collegiate career at nearby Fresno City College and garnered offers from Arizona and the hometown Fresno State Bulldogs. 

"I had the urge to get out and spread my wings and see what else is out there," Johnson said. "I wanted to get away, but no so far that my mother couldn't see me play." 

Then, in the Pac-10, Arizona played road games against the Los Angeles schools (USC and UCLA) and the Bay Area schools (Stanford and Cal) every season. Upon arriving at the UA, Johnson became close friends with Morrison.

Former Arizona head coach Dick Tomey, "his staff, they taught us a lot about being a man outside of the game," Johnson said.

Johnson became one of the building blocks to arguably the most celebrated era in Arizona football history — the historic "Desert Swarm" defense that featured two College Football Hall of Famers in Rob Waldrop and Tedy Bruschi.

Johnson was the elder statesman in a UA defense that had safeties Tony Bouie and Brandon Sanders, who were both featured on the famous "Rock Solid" Sports Illustrated cover in 1994. 

"A lot of guys that showed me the game could be fun," Johnson said. "They were young guys, but I learned a lot from these guys. They showed me football was a game that should be enjoyed."

The Wildcats went 6-5-1 in Johnson's last season at Arizona, losing to Baylor, 20-15, in the John Hancock Bowl (Sun Bowl) in El Paso. Johnson received first-team All-Pac-10 honors in 1992. 

"We played some dynamite ball," Johnson said. "We won some games and I'm proud that I was a part of that."

Johnson forewent his senior season and declared for the NFL Draft. Johnson played under legendary head coach Bill Belichick in the 1993 Senior Bowl — "before Beli (pronounced belly) was Beli," Johnson said — when the six-time Super Bowl winner was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. College football coaching legend Nick Saban was Johnson's defensive backs coach at the Senior Bowl. 

Johnson was drafted 173rd overall in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears. He played just over a season in Chicago before brief stints with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Johnson's last season in the NFL was 1995. 

"It was brief," Johnson said of his NFL career. "I had a decent run and there's guys from the league that I still converse with. I wish my playing time wasn't relegated to special teams, but we had a dynamite team in Chicago. I wish I would've been in a situation to contribute a little bit more on the field back then." 

When Johnson's playing career came to a close, finishing his academic career "wasn't on the forefront of my mind, but I knew it had to be done." A simple conversation with JoAnn Morrison nearly 30 years after playing in his final NFL game was the sign he needed to return to college and graduate at 55 years old. 

Johnson joined the "Cats Forever" program and became a "second-start student, which means that students come back to the university after being gone for a long time and want to fix their GPA," said Gretchen Carroll, a College of Humanities advisor. 

"He was really nervous about coming back and starting after being away from the university for so long," Carroll said. "He needed some extra support, just being an older student." 

Carroll was in a similar position as Johnson and didn't receive her bachelor's degree until her 40s. 

"I could relate to Ke Shon," Johnson said. "So I understood the feelings he was feeling, going back and feeling out of place with younger students and not knowing how to work the system. Also, in my own experience, I didn't have a good advisor to help me get through it, so I just wanted to be that good support and help navigate his journey."

For the last two-plus years, Carroll virtually met with Johnson two or three times per semester. 

"His determination to get through it was really impressive," Carroll said. "He's another example of no matter what your age is, we can go back to college and get things finished. He's a great example." 

Added Johnson: "More than anything, it was about taking care of unfinished business. I just told myself that I needed to get that done. ... It can't be nobody from God. That was something that was really important to me."  

Johnson, after finishing his degree remotely in California, and his family flew into Tucson for the college of humanities graduation ceremony and commencement at Casino Del Sol Stadium.  

"Whew, finally," Johnson said on ESPN Tucson's "Spears & Ali" last week. "Once I re-wrap my frame of mind around the heat in Arizona, it's like riding a bike. You've been there, you've done it, just acclimate yourself to the weather. I'm going to give my family a heads up that it's going to be hot, so dress accordingly; suits and ties are not necessary. I'm looking forward to the whole experience." 

What does Johnson plan on doing with his degree in interdisciplinary studies?

"I'm closer to 60 than I am 16, so before I retire, I'm looking to help local kids in my community," Johnson said. "I'd like to take advantage of that blessing of having my degree.

"That's the direction I look forward to."