Jonathan Blount
A Model Father...
I met Johnny at UT when he began to pledge Phi Beta Sigma. He had such a jovial personality - it was hard imagining him being such a "force" on the gridiron!
I visited Johnny two times while in San Diego and it was there where I came to know him as an outstanding father.
No matter how far in advance I or our brothers would plan to visit, he'd always check his calendar to see if he had the weekend clear as Rachel's time was his priority.
I began to have a tremendous amount of respect for him for being so dedicated to being there for his daughter. I thought that if I were to ever have a daughter, I'd like to be like him. After Rachel turned five or so, I was blessed with a daughter of my own! I was divorced soon after my daughter's birth and was granted joint legal custody on every other weekend along with additional days added.
As the years passed, and Rachel turned 18, I just so happened to chat with Johnny. He mentioned he'd never missed his time with his baby after eighteen years! More time passed leaving my own daughter to become eighteen as well. It was not long after that I called and said, "Hey, don't know if I've ever told you, but I always wanted to be like you as a dad and maintained thirteen years consecutively until I became heartbroken as adolescents can do." I resumed the following weekend and made the last run." "I wanted to be like you Johnny - I wanted to be like you."
Johnny fell silent as I said, "I've admired you as a father" which was my constant motivation. I will always remember his standard, and will forever hold him in a special place.
Rest in Peace fine Man of God.
Bro. Jonathan (Jon) Blount
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
Atlanta, GA
