Often-Overlooked Allen Johnson to Carry U.S. Hopes

[blacklily]

Johnson goes for an unprecedented fourth world hurdles title. At today's news conference, only a few reporters talked with him. The rest crowded around Tim Montgomery, Stacy Dragila & Tyree Washington. That has been Johnson's lot - ignored or taken for granted. Will he finally get his due props?

"I can't help but feel that sometimes," he said. "I feel like I've accomplished a lot in my career, but at the same time I feel that I get overlooked. After it's happened for so many years I can't help but feel a little bit cheated at times."

'Often-overlooked Johnson to carry U.S. flag'
http://www.sacbee.com/24hour/sports/tra ... 1657c.html

'Allen Johnson isn't loud or brash, but he might be best hurdler ever'
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/ ... 588829.htm

Worlds media conference excerpt
http://uscsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-trac ... 03aab.html

[Brazilian Track fan]

Re: Often-Overlooked Allen Johnson to Carry U.S. Hopes

Allen is the best hurdler in the world and it is sad to see that a lot of people does not give him the credit that he deserves.
Maybe it is because he is a great guy and do not trash talk.
I really hope that he get the gold medal in the WC.

[michael lewis]

Re: Often-Overlooked Allen Johnson to Carry U.S. Hopes

Maybe he should wear a one-legger and grow really long, curvy nails.

[miler manque]

Re: Often-Overlooked Allen Johnson to Carry U.S. Hopes

Could it be because Duane Ross beat him and then won Zurich in his absence?

[gh]

Re: Often-Overlooked Allen Johnson to Carry U.S. Hopes

Allen is so softspoken and self-effacing that--on the surface--he doesn't make for a very good interview. Some simple stage-presence lessons would go a long way. But what the heck; it's sometimes a joy just to be in the presence of a truly nice guy.

[blacklily]

Re: Often-Overlooked Allen Johnson to Carry U.S. Hopes

His comments after his U.S. championships win were pretty good, & I've heard him briefly speak elsewhere. However, I've never seen him at a media conference.

He did switch management teams, so hopefully HSI will instill more emotion into Allen (but not TOO much) so he stands out a little more. He is a good-looking guy, so could get his due with your stage-presence suggestion. America needs some good representatives right now.

Re: Often-Overlooked Allen Johnson to Carry U.S. Hopes

I like AJ just the way he is. Never met him, rarely see him interviewed, and don't know anything about his personal life. He never taunts other hurdlers, never ducks competition, doesn't complain about anything, carries himself like a champion regardless of whether he wins or loses, and represents his sport with class. Other sports have enjoyed similar athletes (Lou Gehrig, Walter Payton, etc.). He has more talent than ego, the polar opposite of most sprinters. Class act.

[tafnut]

Re: TT

What's up with AJ's protege, Terrence Trammell? Two years ago I would have picked him to win everything from 2002-2008. Will he surprise here or has he been injured too much?

[gh]

Re: Often-Overlooked Allen Johnson to Carry U.S. Hopes

>His comments after his U.S. championships win
>were pretty good, & I've heard him briefly speak
>elsewhere. However, I've never seen him at a
>media conference.>>

He has been a guest at many T&FN functions through the years. He's gracious to a fault, and the tour members love him, but you often have to strain to hear him, and he's so self-effacing that it defies belief.