Future for Football; An Interview with Ian Johnson

When we first heard about Future for Football, I sent out a message to our Writing Team: Do we have football families on the team?

Jessica responded: We’re sorta into football.

Niki responded: Jessica’s family is the most football-ish family I’ve ever met- the definition of a football family.

Jessica and I spoke, and Niki was in fact, correct. Jess’s husband, Ian, had played football as a young child, all throughout highschool, and had gotten a scholarship to play football at Bryant University. His uncles and cousins played football, with one even playing in the NFL for a number of teams. Each year, the football players of the family gather for a weekend to just watch football, together.  As someone who once had to use Wikipedia to learn the rules of football during a Superbowl Game, this seemed like a football family to me.

I met with Ian and Jessica and their 4 children on a Thursday afternoon, and while I had known Jess for 5 years through writing together on the Providence Mom team, it had been a while (and a whole pandemic) since we had seen other. I was a bit nervous, but she met me on the porch, and their son Ethen welcomed me into the home. I met their daughter Samantha next (along with her friend Olaf), and we all began to feel at ease.

You can see the whole interview below, but what I learned from Ian is that through playing football, he gained friends, insight, and connection.  He felt was it was like to be supported by his family, encouraged.  He learned what it felt like to give up during a game, and also learned that he didn’t want to feel like that in his marriage or with his children.  He learned that sometimes working towards something is a lot more nitty gritty practicing and a lot less “under the lights” big games (much like parenting, right?).

Ian learned that football, like anything, is about what you put into it.  It changed his life for the better, and it made him the man, husband, and father that he is today.

We also learned that Samantha really likes football a lot, and that Anthony and Ethan would like to play football someday.  Luke is very content to continue watching with great game day snacks!

Wondering where you can play some football locally? Check out the League Finder on the Future for Football Website. You can find leagues for flag football, tackle football, adult and youth, and co-ed. There’s never been a better time to play some football! You can also find Future for Football on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.