NFL referee visits Berwick Junior High

Berwick Junior High School principal Tim Hymel got a big assist from a former teammate Wednesday.
Hymel brought in NFL referee Carl Johnson to talk to Berwick Junior High seventh and eighth graders about a little football and a lot about life.
Hymel and Johnson were teammates on the Nicholls State baseball team in the 1970s.
“He is a great guy, and I love his message to the students,” Hymel said. “We’ve known each other for many years, and anytime you can get a guy of his character to not only talk but entertain your students, it’s a no-brainer. The kids really enjoyed it.”
The Thibodaux native was a big hit, breaking the ice with the seventh and eighth graders by sharing a story about his biggest hit: being knocked out by football legend Ray Lewis. He said he sustained a grade-two concussion and spent the night in a Baltimore hospital.
Johnson, a 15-year NFL referee, is one of the few full-time refs. In fact, he was the first in 2012. He had spent the four years prior in New York as the league’s Vice President of Officiating.
In layman terms, he was the referees’ referee.
Before that, Johnson spent nine years on the field as a line judge, being rewarded with calling Super Bowl XLII, maybe the top honor for an NFL official.
Johnson’s story started at Nicholls State when his plans of being a pro football or baseball player went awry.
“I just knew I was going to play pro sports for a living before reality began to set in, and I realized there were people a lot more talented than I was,” he said. “A buddy of mine asked me to help him call a pee-wee football game, and I was hooked.”
Johnson found his niche early enough to work his way up the ladder, calling high school, college (Southland and Big 12 conferences), and eventually the pros.
“You have to put your time in,” he said. “It usually takes about 10 years calling high schools and about another 10 in college before the NFL will look at you,” Johnson said.
Johnson started his speech to the students by stressing education and making good decisions. He stressed the importance of being a leader, telling the kids that when away from home and you’re doing something that you can’t tell your parents about, then it’s probably something you shouldn’t do.
He told the youngsters that they have to be willing to change their plans. Things seldom work out as planned.
“I was working at Coca-Cola and refereeing on the weekends when the NFL came calling but with one catch,” Johnson said. “I had to go to (now defunct) NFL Europe to learn the pro game. I had family and a job, but since I had given my best on the job at Coca-Cola, they worked with me or I wouldn’t be an NFL ref now.”
Johnson, 55, since has retired from Coca-Cola.
“Community service is part of job,” Johnson said. “I work with local high school and college referees, but I really enjoy working with the kids. If I can reach one kid, then I’ve done good.”
Johnson then opened the floor to questions and the fun really started.
Questions about current NFL stars like Odell Beckham Jr., Rob Gronkowski and Drew Brees all led back to Johnson’s message.
Johnson shook every student’s hand, and he remained after his speech to answer more questions and greet faculty members.
He will be at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Sunday when the Browns host the Oakland Raiders. NFL refs only are allowed to know their schedule in three-week increments.