Sons Watch Dad Win 2013 Dodge Challenger SXT at Chicago Football Classic

L-R Ron Collins, Business Manager of Sherman Dodge, Neimah Johnson, Dodge Challenger, Brian Johnson, Jeremiah Jr., Jeremiah Johnson, Sr.
L-R Ron Collins, Business Manager of Sherman Dodge, Neimah Johnson, Dodge Challenger, Brian Johnson, Jeremiah Jr., Jeremiah Johnson, Sr.

"You can't be what you ain't seen", - the Honorable R. Eugene Pincham, deceased Civil Rights attorney, Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois and Justice of the Appellate Court of Illinois.

Judge Pincham made that statement when he explained why he created his mentoring program. "Our kids will see that they can be once they know that it exists". And that is what happened on Saturday, September 21st during the "5th Quarter" of the 16th Annual Chicago Football Classic, three sons saw something that they could be. Jeremiah Jr., Neimah, and Brian Johnson saw African American men who were college graduates, African American men who are current college students, and African American men who are professionals in various corporate fields. They also had the opportunity to witness their father, Jeremiah Johnson, Sr. win a 2013 Dodge Challenger SXT, the official car of the Chicago Football Classic.     

Sponsored by Sherman Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Skokie, the 2013 Dodge Challenger SXT was raffled after a thrilling game played by Morehouse College and Central State University, a game dominated and won by the Morehouse College Tigers.   After the game was the traditional Battle of the Bands, which was won by the Central State University Fighting Marauders. 

 "The raffle is a perfect climax to the Chicago Football Classic," says Ron Collins, Business Manager of Sherman Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Skokie, co-title sponsor of the 16th annual Chicago Football Classic.  "This raffle is not just about the quintessential American Muscle car, but the scholarship funding it supports.  Aspiring students are able to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), as proceeds from the drawing go directly to the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund. Mr. Johnson is an ideal winner."

 There was a specific reason for coming to the 16th Annual Chicago Football Classic this year for Mr. Johnson, "My boys needed to be exposed to something different.  They see the headlines of African American boys and violence all the time.  I wanted them to see other men, African American men bringing their families to the game.  I wanted them to see that there are young African American men excelling in academics, athletics and for them to know that college is in their future.  Just like I tell my students."

His students?  Yes, his students.  Mr. Jeremiah Johnson is an Academic Administrator in a south suburban school system who repeatedly reminds his students, "Your world is not your block, your yard, or your zip code.  There is an entire world waiting for you, if you want to work hard and take a chance to see it and experience it." 

With that personal and professional philosophy, Mr. Johnson, Sr.,  in the presence of his sons, heard the repeated appeal for the raffle tickets during the game.  During the third quarter, he went and found two men selling raffle tickets and purchased 5 for $20.

"This is my first time to the Chicago Football Classic", said Mr. Johnson, Sr.  "I had heard so much buzz about the Classic this year, on television, radio, in the paper, everyone was talking about going.  I have friends in Atlanta who were coming to the game, co-workers talking about going, so I decided this year I would go. So I brought my three boys and made a whole day out of it.  I took them to the vendors, the college fair, saw the high-schools.  I wanted my boys to see everything."

The rest, as they say, is history.  "When I won, my sons were more excited and aware than I was .  I was, and still am, in total shock.   I am 35 years old and have never had a sports car, always been a family-car kind of driver.  But now, now I got this Challenger, I'm in shock". 

Asked where is the first fun place he is going to go, Mr. Johnson said, "I haven't thought of that yet.  I haven't had the chance, a lot of people have been asking me for rides.  I'm just glad my boys are still a few years away from driving".

 "This is the essence of the Chicago Football Classic," says Ron Collins.  A celebration of  academics, athletics and culture, as families make and share memories that encourage children to embrace new experiences and pursue dreams."  

 "Mr. Collins is absolutely right.  My boys have never been to a collegiate football game, never been to Soldier Field and have never been to the Chicago Football Classic.  Now, from their first trip, they have memories that will last a lifetime and new Dodge Challenger ride in.  It doesn't get much better than that". 

 Now, the Johnson boys can be something that they have seen, winners.

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