Arkansas State press., 1951-12-07
%%:z;%$;%%E 81
M1z~.s (6.Mses III

vanette Johnson, 1.-THE Arm, is AM&Ns candidate for
All American berth for 1851. Ocourse, there many
methods selecting All American and is hard to
actually get Johnson name on the roster of the various
writer's teams. Only writer's have Johnson
the past years and tho his record is outstanding in
several departments opspors writer's will overlook the
ARKANSAS Terror.
His passing for the past two years has distinguished
him as the greatest passer Buddy" Allen On many
occasions Johnson has completely baed his opponents
with the accuracy of his toses and received loud ovatons
spectators thruout the southwest. 1t not be
looked that there have been receivers that make him look
good. The steengers of Carl White have clasped many
desperation passes and Ralph Jones performed equally as
well.
tragic happening the country is the overlooking
many outstanding players solely because they not on
championship teams would like to All American
composed of in the substraa bracket There
many good players the mediocre squads that go unnoced
by the big writer's and venture to say that of the
lads who play these mediocre eevens oneman teams
team player who runs kicks passes
receives blocks tackles and continually does the unexpected
These boys themselves look good and they are good
Now Van Johnson could only pass, and depended upon
Carl White and Ralph Jones to make him look good wouo
propose that he be mentioned for berth on some
American Selection But this lad is general OF the Hrst
magnitude has called plays from the Spit-T that COM
petey bewdered opposing elevens and moves the oa from
various positions the grdron to set up toucndowns IKE
amygeneral maneuvering the enemy to take an opecVe
There is no doubt that he is greatest quarterback since
the days John "Unk Claiborne His performances nave
brilliant cool unrued cold and calculating hghy ara
matte and have brought untold numbers OF 1ahs W ei
feet gaspng at his artistry but he not grandstandpay
err He is modest humble gentleman-but determined TO
exact the most from the team he directs.
Besides splitting his target with deadeye accuracy set
ting I'D scoring plays and battling his opponents Van John
son has proved himself be naural-carrer HIS posioi
from the SplT provides little design for him to carry ue
ball but many he has employed the stff-arm IAN ID
most lost art wonder why) and outdistanced MS Woua
be-tacklers ongstrides that appear to be getting nm
nowhere He had many thrills carrying the mall ou e
most thrilling run he made his 91yard aun from
his own nine to pay dirt On this play his keen sense leu
him to the middle with slow pace allowing the enemy
declare themselves around the midrpe and with burst Vi
speed eed the distance for the score
johnson not only leader on the field OF pay ou'
commands respect the entire sudent-body lie Is pes
dent of the Student government and perhaps the st oo'
ball PLAYER in the Southwestern Athletic Conference TO re-
ceiye this honor He member of the Alpha Nappa Niu
Honorary society," which requires average OF ~ VI "
better) He is member of the Kappa Alpha PSI fraternity
Inc the Spotlghters YMCA and assists with 'he eo
ing of the college annual , .;hr
Bv any standards Van Johnson is All American u''oe
But we do not wish to overlook the men VINO played WIZ"
him nor the coaches that developed the many talents "
possessed 1t must please Roland Bernard to see van
the epitome of his philosophy of college athletics IN rgau
TO his men: "a gentleman first on and OIL the neu va"
johnson is that gentleman and the Arkansas A@N can
ddate for American.