By Rodney Richey
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. —
One of the most valuable members of the Indianapolis Colts organization will speak Sunday morning at Madison Park Church of God. And even the most passionate fan may never have heard of him.
He’s Ken Johnson, and he has served as team chaplain for 21 years. (There is also a Catholic priest with the team, Fr. Peter Gallagher.)
A Los Angeles native and a former Tulsa policeman, Johnson, 49, endured poverty, a large family and his father’s heroin use to form his own ministry (www.kenjohnson.org). As a motivational speaker, he addresses audiences of all ages, backgrounds and goals. His past as a thwarted pro football player (knee injury) informs his service to the team.
Johnson came to Indianapolis to work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has since written a book about his experiences, “Journey to Excellence.” He and his wife, Della, and their three children live in Indianapolis.
THB: What trials and troubles do professional athletes particularly face? Does your background help you?
Johnson: It definitely doesn’t hurt, because I can relate the aspect of being hurt, the camaraderie of athletics, of the selflessness you have to have to participate in athletics.
THB: What are the valuable lessons professional athletes should learn?
Johnson: One of the most valuable lessons in athletics that I’ve been able to pass along is that it is so temporary. And you’ve got to build things that last an eternity.
Some players, their whole identity, a lot of times, is in (athletics). In professional athletics, the average career is 2.3 years, and then 100 percent of them will have to find something to do in their 40s. For some of us, that’s just the second quarter.
Also, 89 percent of professional football players, 1-2 years after they retire, are over $150,000 in debt. They’re broke. Most of the guys don’t make Peyton Manning money.
THB: Is it tough to be spiritual adviser to pro athletes, who are known to be a rowdy bunch?
Johnson: The quick answer would probably be, yes, but my experience teaches me that life will teach you more than I can tell you. ... Fame, fortune, power and pleasure are the things that kill kings.
Fame tells you that the world revolves are you and what you do. Fortune gives you a false sense of security. Power is the process that corrupts. Once you have that platform, you can get things that provide pleasure. And pleasure? Man, you have to watch that.
THB: Where does a sports figure like Tiger Woods fit into your view of fame, fortune, power and pleasure?
Johnson: That’s a classic example. When I speak to men, he is the poster child. ... Everybody needs (someone in their lives) to tell you you’re not as great as you think you are.
THB: The lure of pro sports has skewed career goals of young people, kids seeking the American dream.
Johnson: That’s one of my main messages, that it’s OK to have a dream. But the first thing you have to do to make a dream come true is to wake up and go to work.
What are your other dreams? Even if you get to the pros, what does that mean? Three years and out. That’s it. So who’s helping you plan? Who’s helping you develop the strategic thinking, the systems and the plan that you need in your life? Who at your table is smarter than you?”
THB: What’s the attendance rate among the team at Bible study and prayer meetings?
Johnson: Right now, because of the influence of (former coach Tony) Dungy and Coach (Jim) Caldwell, at our chapel services, we’re looking at about 75 percent represented, players and coaches. ... Before Coach Dungy, we probably had maybe two coaches come to chapel and maybe an average of 10 players.
THB: What’s your favorite part of being the chaplain for the Colts?
Johnson: (On the downside), I’ve never taken a salary, and I make my living by speaking. So when I’m with the team, that’s an opportunity that I could be speaking. Sometimes that’s a paradox.
The blessing is that the platform of being the chaplain has gotten me into places I know I couldn’t have gotten into if I wasn’t. It’s been a win-win for me.
Contact Rodney Richey, 640-4861, rodney.richey@heraldbulletin.com.
