Former
Linebacker for the Bristol Aztecs Youth Team, Tom Johnson, who was part
of the 2006 Bowl Season was awarded Rookie of the year for his efforts
in 2007 by the British American Football League. Tom’s award shows him
as the best first year player over 3 divisions in Adult American
Football in the UK.
Tom was a starter for the Aztecs Youth Team at Linebacker helping to
make the 2006 Youth Team one of the best. Part of the thrilling over
time loss in the National Final, Tom did not miss a down and recorded tackle after tackle for the team.
This has not changed since his graduation to Adult American Football. A
hard working player who attends every practice. It is great to see this
type of National Praise given to someone who genuinely works for it.
Not the gifted athlete like some other players in his position, Tom was
able to make the transition from Youth to Adult football easier with
hard work in the gym and on the practice field.
“Tom
has hopefully lead the way for all Aztec Youth graduates showing them
what hard work and determination can achieve” said his former Youth
Head Coach, Ben Herod. “Tom is a great role model for anyone entering
the sport, he is a modest, hard working player who earns the respect of
everyone he faces”.
Below is the article about Tom from the British American Football Associations Website.
A product of the Aztecs Youth program Johnson was the only member of
the Bristol defensive front seven, the third stingiest defense in the
BAFL Premier, to play every down in the 2007 season. He finished the season with the following:
31 tackles -10% of all tackles by the Aztec defense placing him second
4 sacks – second highest on the team
3 interceptions, 1 for a touchdown, and 1 in the BAFL Premier semi
final vs Coventry Jets.
1 broken up pass
1
forced fumble.
Head Coach Mark Hopkins
was delighted by the news of Tom’s award. “Tom has made the transition
from youth to senior football easier than any player I have ever
coached. He has a toughness that is born from a desire to be the
best, and a relentlessness about his play that cements his ability to
play this game to a very high standard. Despite of this he is a quiet,
polite, punctual and an unassuming guy around the locker room. Tom
started in his first senior game of football, he led the team in
tackles and had 2 sacks on the day, his contribution to the Aztec
defense last year was monumental. I am very proud to coach him, he is a
great credit to both the Aztecs and his family, and I look forward
to his development into a great linebacker for the Aztecs. He has all
the tools to be one of the very best.”
It’s
never to late to follow in Tom’s footsteps and get the solid grounding
in American Football from the earliest age. If you are 15 – 18 as Tom
was when he started and want to try the sport then please contact Head Coach Ben Herod.
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