KU's Steven Johnson Participates in East-West Shrine Game
Jan. 22, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Former Jayhawk linebacker Steven Johnson and the West emerged victorious, 24-17, in the 87th annual East-West Shrine game played Saturday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Johnson, who was the leading tackler in the Big 12 this past season, was one of six linebackers on the West’s roster and saw action throughout the entire game on defense as well as special teams. No defensive stats were available.
Johnson is hoping to use the all-star game as a way to improve his draft stock. According to NFLDraftstock.com, Johnson is the 35th rated outside linebacker out of 225 in this season’s NFL Draft, which will take place April 26-28 in New York City.
Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Game has been a showcase for the next generation of NFL greats and a priceless benefit event for Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. The East-West Shrine Game is the longest-running all-star college football game, combining great football with a great cause and creating experiences for players that will last a lifetime.
Some of the top senior student-athletes in Division I college football are invited to participate in the game every year.
The West won the game late in the fourth quarter on a nine-yard touchdown run by Louisiana Tech’s Lennon Creer with 47 seconds remaining.
Johnson was the eighth Jayhawk to participate in the East-West Shrine Game since 2006.
