In this episode of Galesburg In Focus, host Jay Redfern welcomes Mikki Johnson, a former all-state football player for the Galesburg Silver Streaks who went on to become an all-Big Ten Conference defensive standout for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.
Mikki shares his heartfelt journey from Galesburg, reflecting on the influential mentors and coaches who shaped his life and athletic career. He discusses how their support helped him evolve as both an athlete and a person, emphasizing the importance of community and guidance.
They dig into his college career with the Fighting Illini, the transition from high school to major college football, having his career game on national television in front of 108,000 people at the University of Michigan, and playing on the same defense as Simeon Rice.