Q&A with Bethel Johnson

Senior wide receiver Bethel Johnson sat down with AggieAthletics.com and discussed returning from injuries, playing with a deep wide receiving corps, the inspiration his mother provides him and playing close to home at Texas A&M.

Coming back from the injuries you've suffered, how refreshing has the success you've seen this season been?

Senior wideout Bethel Johnson leads the team with four touchdown catches in six games this season.

"I truly think it's a blessing. Going thru two surgeries in less than a year, that's something that's kind of crazy to me. Everything's going well for us right now, and I think that we're going to continue to build on every game. Every week we try to improve. We try to do that daily in practice, improve on certain emphases that the coaches talk about, like getting to the line faster and stuff like that. That's all a part of success, and that's what we've been doing here lately and we're going to continue to do that."

Does the fact that you guys have a lot of weapons at wide receiver make each of you even more dangerous?

"Yeah, I think we're all dangerous. I feel that as a unit we're out there taking care of business. As long as we do that everything will be fine for us offensively."

You're one of the seniors, so have you taken any of the younger guys at your position under your wing?

"Not really, those guys catch on pretty fast. We tell each other how to do certain things and help each other out, but I didn't really have to take a guy under my wing and guide him through this, because they all caught on to the system pretty fast. They see me doing stuff and we kind of all feed off each other. They have things they do well that I don't do to well, and I have things that I do well that they don't. I think they kind of look up to me because of my age or because I've been here the longest, but that's just how it is."

If you had to pick one part of your game that you'd consider your strong suit, what would it be?

"To be honest, I think it's when I've got the ball in my hand in the open field, one-on-one with somebody. I feel I can do whatever I want to, and if I get away, it's curtains. I feel that if I have the ball in my hand and can make one guy miss, that's when I'm most dangerous."

You've said your mom had the most impact on your athletic career. What did you mean by that?

"My mom is my biggest inspiration, period. She's a single parent of five and raised five kids by herself, four girls and me. Through my whole career, I focused and wanted to change my situation through athletics. We never had much [growing up]. I figure God has blessed my mom with a gifted child to be able to go out and do athletic things and be good at doing them. She motivates me to want to go out and play hard, because I've seen [my family] struggle and I hated that as a child. That's what's kept me going through this whole thing. Plus, she's a great spiritual leader. She's a very strong Christian woman and that's one of my mother's best qualities. Anyone that's met my mom around here knows Sylvia loves everybody. That's what I love about her. She keeps me focused on my game and focused on God. She wants to make sure I have my priorities straight and that's how I'm influenced by her. Seeing her struggle all her life, and finally growing up and being able to sort of do things about that now, hopefully that's what I want to accomplish out of this-to take care of my mom."

Your religion is important to you, Does it help you focus on what's really important in life?

"Of course. It helps me out, keeps me grounded and keeps me focused. In everything I do I give glory to God. Everything. And that's what our purpose as Christians is, to glorify God in everything we do, and that's what I try to do. A lot of people may see me on TV and say I talk to people on the field. Guys talk to me. I don't get into all that talking stuff, because since I'm a child of God I feel that I don't need to say anything. Actions speak louder than words. It took a while for me to learn that. That plays a big part in my game, when I don't have to say anything to you at all. I don't like to drag other people down. I don't like to do somebody real bad and then talk about it, because they're out there trying to do what I'm trying to do. I don't want to take confidence away from them, but I'm not going to let them take my confidence away from me either."

Corsicana is about two hours away. Do you enjoy being close to home so your family can get to see you play a lot?

"My mom didn't get to come see me play much in high school until the playoffs in my senior year. When my inspiration is always around me it just helps me focus. If I have a bad game or a good game, my mom is always there to give me some encouragement. I'm glad that I chose to come to Texas A&M. I could have gone anywhere, but I'm glad I chose to come to Texas A&M where my mom can see me play all my games. I just feel blessed that I can have her in the stands watching me."