Akil Johnson: Combining his love for football & law to succeed

By Akeem Greene

From Green Acers Primary School to Queen’s College to The Bishops’ High and now to Brevard College in the United States of America, Akil O’Neal Johnson is another epitome of the cliché that “hard work pays” as the 19-year is the newest Reela Smc student athlete.

This young man is a shining example of the wonders that can be derived when academics and sports are promoted since he is expected to start Brevard College in fall as a freshman, pursuing a law degree while playing defensive midfield or center back for the Tornadoes.

Guyana Times Sport reached out to the elated Johnson who was more than more happy to tell his story of getting an opportunity that most youths can only dream of achieving.

Asked on the feeling of being accepted into the institution to further his studies, he stated, “I feel very blessed to be having the opportunity to attend the college on a scholarship because I’m seeing all the hard work and sacrifices that my family has made to make sure that I’ve lived a comfortable life pay off.”

Johnson won’t be the only one from his family who aspires to have a profession in the legal fraternity since his uncle Roger Yearwood is a prominent Attorney-at-law, and along with his mother Cecile Johnson were some of the persons who kept Akil focused on the journey at hand.

“I was even more anxious to even get here and go to the college to mark my footprint on a new beginning but my mom, Cecile Johnson, my uncle Roger Yearwood and big brother, Quincy Johnson insisted that I remain patient and it would happen when the time is right. I am guessing that they knew something I didn’t,” he joyfully expressed.

Just having completed his studies at the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), the student would have only done initial studies of the area and no with no surprise for the sport fanatic, he named football as his greater love due his late father’s presence in the sport.

“The greater love would have to be football for personal reasons because my dad [Raol Johnson] was a lover of the sport and was very involved with Guyana Football Federation and I guess it brings that closeness to him every time I set foot on a field and perform to my best ability thinking that I would be making him proud,” Johnson emotionally stated.

Though the love for the “beautiful sport” stands out, his focus remains on being qualified to return to Guyana and make a difference in society while still having the illustrious thoughts of being professional footballer.

“My main focus is on my academics and achieving my degree and continuing to further my studies to come back to Guyana and serve as a member of society and being able to be in a position to give back and see my country become excellent in the field of sports, however it is a dream of mine to play professional football at any level just right after I get my degree, that’s the most important thing,” said the fan of Brazilian footballer Thiago Silva.

At the age where social media is widely embraced, how does this teenager find time to play football, basketball and the occasional cricket while still being a strong family person? Well according to Johnson, the key is discipline.

“Managing football and academics was never easy and there were times that I wasn’t allowed to play because of my need to focus on academics when I was slacking off but after a while I got accustomed to it; It would call for a lot of discipline and sacrifice to both factors to balance them equally, sometimes even a lack of sleep,” he explained.

He added, “The main thing to becoming a good student athlete is discipline, you could have all the skills in the world on a football field and you could be the brightest bulb in the class but the discipline to not only manage both football and academics but to also be able to take advice from coaches and peers is the most important thing.” The inspiration to remain focused on discipline was only a self-imposed attribute since his uncle was a “big inspiration and advising him in areas in where to better myself in my studies in the field.”

He further revealed that “a good friend of mine, Rejan McKay, father, Rex McKay, when I have had the privilege of seeing him has often given me advice.”

With close friends such as Olympic Swimmer Hannibal Gaskin, top motor biker Elliot Vieira, multi-talented national table tennis player Shemar Britton, Michael DeCosta, Michael Williams, Jamaal Skeete, Akil Stewart and Shamal Beaton and his brother Quincy, who fancies skills with the basketball, the competitive edge is ever present with the youngster.

In giving a word encouragement to those who may want to emulate him, he urged that they remained focused and keeping working hard.

“Just keep focusing and keep working hard, Reela SMC was a dream come through for me, Gregory Samuels and Albert Cappell, the directors, have made this possible for me and others like myself and we are just the foundation for this organization, there is much more in store and soon enough your hard work will pay off.”

The second eldest of three siblings plans to said that he plans to start on fresh slate as be beings a journey that will shape what certainly looks to be promising future.