Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Vance Johnson will make his way to Statesboro to speak at a Celebrate Recovery event on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Eastern Heights Baptist Church. The event is free, but participants needing childcare should register online by Oct. 1.
A three-time Super Bowl player and world class athlete, Johnson kept hidden for years an alcohol and pill addiction that nearly cost him his life. A 28-day coma brought on by his drug and alcohol abuses became the wake-up call he needed to get help.
Now, Johnson tours the country as a recovery ambassador, sharing his powerful story of faith and recovery.
“It is my purpose and passion to inspire those who, like me, found themselves powerless, broken and looking for a breakthrough,” said Johnson. “Everyone deserves a second chance. Inspired by true faith in a risen savior, I look to inspire others to take back control of their lives.”
Drug-free and alcohol-free since September 2013, Johnson said his passion is to help others “peel back the onion,” to recognize the underlying issues that often bring about addictions.
Johnson grew up around addiction and domestic violence. “My father was military,” he said. “He didn’t take anything less than perfection, but there was a lot of abuse.
“As a stutterer and a shy kid, I wanted to work as hard as I could to succeed and get away from the hell. I didn’t know I was building up to be worse than what I grew up around.”
Johnson said that every athlete has a story. “I’ll share my insight on how a person making millions of dollars a year and of that stature can get kicked out of the league.
“My struggle with addiction taught me a saving faith, and it taught me that there is help available.”
With a 10-year NFL career, NCAA championship and gold medal recipient at the Junior Pan American games, Johnson has much to boast about. Instead, he prefers helping others on their journey to recovery.
Johnson said he often tells those he meets, “Through God’s grace, you are more than a conqueror.”
Eastern Heights Baptist Church, on Highway 80 East past the mall, and Celebrate Recovery invites the public to hear Johnson’s powerful story.