Saskatchewan Roughrider offensive lineman Evan Johnson signs his autograph for superfan Madilynn, a Grade 1 student at Jack Kemp Community School during Saskatchewan Roughriders Reading Day at the school on Friday. Johnson read books to Grade 1 to 4 kids then signed autographs at the east side A&W Restaurant that nominated Jack Kemp for a Rider to read. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
As an offensive right guard with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Evan Johnson knows how to read plays on the field, and to kids in the classroom, too.
He showed up at Jack Kemp Community School on Friday wearing his number 64 green jersey and read a bunch of books to Grades 1-4 kids, then signed autographs for eager young fans.
“I had a great time today,” said Johnson after reading two books to Shawn Weir’s Grade 1 class.
It was Saskatchewan Roughrider Reading Day at Jack Kemp. The school was nominated for the program by the local east side A&W to promote the campaign in Lloydminster.
Johnson was also in town for a meet and greet at the fast food outlet from 5 to 7 p.m. to sign more autographs.
Johnson says A&W restaurants partnered with the Saskatchewan Roughriders Foundation for players to read to students in select Saskatchewan schools and communities that week.
“So they had game-day specials where they were selling Mama burgers and the proceeds from those sales helped to fund this fantastic program called the Rider Reader Program,” said Johnson.
As a kid growing up in Regina, Johnson learned the importance of reading and getting an education. He played collegiate football for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
As a senior, he was named a Canada West all-star and U Sports second-team all-Canadian and was an avid bookworm in class and at home.
“It’s carried out through my life. I still enjoy reading to this day and reading to the kids is just an added bonus,” said Johnson, who is in his third year with the Riders and his sixth in the CFL.
He says giving back to communities is what Riders do with opportunities like reading day.
“It’s just so important, especially being a young kid from here being able to see Roughriders in the community and interact with them, and having someone you know you’ve met and you’ve seen at the games, to have someone to cheer for,” said Johnson.
Having Johnson read, and especially getting his autograph, was a huge thrill for young Madilynn, who was wearing a Riders jersey in Weir’s class.
“It was really exciting,” she said, adding, “he read a book about a bear and a pigeon.”
When Johnson was finished reading to Grade 1, he told the class,”I play football in Regina and across the country,” while a kid shouted out, “Do you still live there?”
“Thank you Grade 1’s,” continued Johnson. “You guys look fantastic. This was so good and you asked such good questions and we’ll see you guys around.”
Vice principal, Tenille Woods, says part of the Roughriders’ education agenda is to share the importance of reading, not just as a child, but as you grow into an adult.
“It’s so important to every aspect of life,” said Woods.
She says the whole school was excited to have Johnson visit, although only the Grades 1-4 got to have him read to them.
Woods noted some of the older elementary kids who didn’t get to hear Johnson read were asking ‘can we go, can we get a signature,’ noting they have some great Riders fans at the school.
Woods came to school wearing one of her parents’ favourites Riders jerseys to get into the mood.
“I don’t watch much football, but my parents are big Riders fans and they lent me their jersey No. 83,” she said.