The New Schools at Carver

There’s an incredible, heartwarming story in today’s AJC about Carver High defensive end Andre Johnson. During the offseason, the 16-year-old junior lost his half-brother, and his left eye, in a random shooting.

But now Johnson is back and playing football for Carver. AJC reporter Christian Boone captured the spirit of Johnson’s comeback in the article, particularly in this section:

Playing football helps, though for a time his doctors warned him it may not be possible.
“I told the doctor I was playing again,” Andre said. “No way I wasn’t going to come back.”
His mother worries, but she knows football plays a pivotal role in Andre’s emotional recovery.
“They [Doctors] are concerned about maintaining the vision in his good eye,” she said. They relented when Andre grudgingly agreed to play with a fiberglass shield built into his face mask.
“I don’t want no sympathy,” Andre said. “I don’t want anyone treating me different.”

 Here’s to Johnson’s comeback and courage.