A couple years ago, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson donated $500,000 to his old junior college to create a top-notch athletic facility.
On Thursday, “The Lane” Athletic Performance Center was officially unveiled at Kilgore College in Kilgore (East Texas).
“It means everything,” Johnson said on Thursday to John Clark in an interview that will air on NBC10’s Philly Live: Sports on Sunday evening. “What I wanted to do was really pay attention to the guy who helped me get here.”
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“The Lane” is a 3,800 square foot facility that includes a weight room and training equipment. According to the school, the facility took over what was mostly unused locker and dressing areas.
“Really, it’s about paying it forward,” Johnson said. “A lot of JUCOs around here really don’t have anything like this. Them having that room and not just for the football players but for the other sports here too. It’ll be open to everybody.”
You can watch the extended interview with Johnson on NBC10 at 11:50 on Sunday night.
For now, here’s a better look at the new facility at Kilgore College:
NFL
“They did a really good job with it,” Johnson said. “I’m really impressed with how it turned out. And, really, people don’t understand the JUCO world. If you’ve gotten a chance to watch Last Chance U on Netflix, it gives a brief insight.”
Johnson, 30, spent the 2008 season at Kilgore College before he signed with Oklahoma. During his one season at Kilgore, he played quarterback and tight end. Johnson didn’t move to offensive tackle until later in his college career at Oklahoma.
On Thursday, Johnson remembered one of his Kilgore games when he was at quarterback and they faced Fort Scott Community College and a roster that included future Pro Bowlers Lavonte David and Jason Pierre-Paul.
Clark asked Johnson what he would tell the 18-year-old version of himself if he could talk to him now.
“I would say, ‘stay in the moment,’” Johnson answered. “I think I spent a lot of my time, I think a lot of kids at the JUCO level, they’re always looking to go to a bigger division, a Division I university. That’s the goal. But my biggest regret is not enjoying my time here enough. If I had to do it all over again, I would try to enjoy it a little more and take it one day at a time instead of rushing it.”
Maybe a state-of-the-art training facility will help future generations of athletes at Kilgore do just that.
Subscribe to the Eagle Eye podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube