Derrick Johnson: Defender of a Dream

On Thursday morning, the halls of Zavala Elementary School on Austin’s East Side were filled with the kind of hopeful energy you’d expect pregame on a Saturday night at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Students and staff lined the walls outside the school’s library, wearing so much burnt orange it felt like you were on the 40 Acres. But there wasn’t a game to be played—this time, the students were the stars of the show, along with the educators at Zavala, some of whom have been working there for over 35 years.

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The thrilled students were the recipients of a completely renovated library, courtesy of Longhorn legend Derrick Johnson and his Defend The Dream Foundation. When Johnson ran down the hall giving high-fives to smiling children who were decked out in burnt orange and white Texas gear, the energy was electric. The sound from that hallway was reminiscent of the excited roar a crowd would make when Johnson landed his trademark forced fumble that turned the tide of a game. Though the kids were excited to meet a former NFL and Longhorn great, they were mostly filled with pride at the gift they had received—one that will change their education and daily experience for years to come. As Johnson reminded them, “We did this for you because you’re worth it.”

The foundation specializes in library makeovers at Title I elementary schools. Nationally, if a child isn’t reading at grade level by fifth grade, their chances of graduating high school drop to less than 50%. Some of these schools have books that are over 30 years old, not age-appropriate, and do little to foster independent reading and learning. All that changes after Johnson and his team come in with new paint, updated furniture, decorations, and up to 1,000 new books. The foundation empowers the school’s librarian to choose books that will resonate with the students. Zavala Elementary was the fifth “DJ’s Discovery Den” in Austin in partnership with Austin ISD.

After his incredible NFL career, where he became the all-time leading tackler for the Kansas City Chiefs, Johnson moved the foundation back to Austin and has completed library makeovers at Pickle, Barbara Jordan, Oak Springs, and Langford elementaries. Future plans for many more Discovery Dens are in the works with Defend the Dream, its advisory board, and AISD.

As excited as the kids were about their renovated library and meeting a Longhorn superstar, Defend the Dream was just as honored to give the gift to Zavala.

“It is a blessing to serve,” Johnson told the crowd.

Love, Excellence, and Purpose are the core values that define Defend The Dream. They also define Johnson, his wife Brittni, and their six children in their mission to serve. These values stem from Johnson’s upbringing as the proud son of Beverly, a lifelong educator who taught for over 40 years. If you ask Johnson, without her emphasis on education, there wouldn’t have been a College Football Hall of Fame career, the Butkus and Nagurski Awards, a first-round draft pick, or a 13-year NFL career. 

In Johnson’s senior season, the DKR loudspeakers would blast Lil Wayne’s “Go DJ” every time he would make a big play. “Go DJ, that’s my DJ,” a young Lil Wayne repeats. I was reminded of that song and chorus today as he interacted with the kids. For fans, success for their team means memories, bonds, excitement, bragging rights. But for the players who wear the jerseys we root for, it can mean so much more. Success can give the players we cheer for the platforms to change lives, long after their playing careers are over. “That’s our DJ.” 

After Johnson read a book to the students, they asked him questions. Instead of the typical “What was it like facing off against Tom Brady?” inquiries that fans like me would have asked, the Zavala students asked, “What things are you not good at?” and “What are you going to be for Halloween?” But one girl wanted a step-by-step breakdown of how Johnson became who he is today. You could see her mind working as she put the blueprint together in her own mind, and Johnson leaned on education as the foundation for his success while answering. The hope is that as children learn in the DJ Discovery Den, they will begin to imagine their futures and discover their dreams. Judging by the questions asked by the Zavala Elementary students, those dreams are already taking flight.

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You can learn more or get involved in Johnson and Defend The Dream’s fight against illiteracy at: https://derrickjohnsonfoundation.org. Just $25 donates a new book and could change a life.