By Anuoluwapo Bamiro, SBBJ Contributing Writer
On September 10, 2024, John Johnson III teamed up with Unify Financial Credit Union to donate over 650 backpacks to the students of Edwin Markham Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. He was accompanied by a few of their cheerleaders and the team mascot, Rampage, to speak to the students. Johnson provided them with motivating words and answered any questions they had. He made sure to create a welcoming environment, allowing the students to ask questions, get autographs, and simply spend time with him. These moments will likely stay with those kids for the rest of their lives.
What the Rams organization is doing, by being present in the community, shows that they care and understand the importance of giving back. Their efforts to assist these communities in any way possible truly resonate with the people they serve.
Interview with John Johnson III
Here is our interview with John Johnson III after the event, where he expressed his purpose and reasoning for hosting such events:
Interviewer: Thank you so much for speaking with us today. My first question is, how do you go about putting together an event like this? Why is it important for you to organize these events, especially in a place like Watts, Los Angeles?
John Johnson III: Watts—I always try to come down here. I’ve been with the Rams since 2017, and I’ve visited Watts a lot. For me, it’s about more than just material things; it’s about being present. Anything I can do to put a smile on their faces is worth it. It’s about giving my time and energy. Today, I gave the kids some inspiring words, and I think that was the most important thing. It’s less about the backpacks and more about just being there for them.
Interviewer: That’s amazing. Another question I have is, how important do you think it is to show your face in places like this? Especially for kids in Los Angeles, which hasn’t traditionally been much of a football city, how does your presence here impact creating new fans, especially among middle school students?
John Johnson III: This is where it happens. Even if a kid doesn’t watch football, it might be a young girl who knows nothing about sports, but she sees that this is a real person—a real human being—who made it to this level. L.A. may not be known as a big football city, but by showing up here, we’re not just raising awareness; we’re exposing these kids to new possibilities. They might have kids one day and tell them, “I met a Rams player.” Those are stories they’ll carry with them, so it’s important for us to show up.
Interviewer: That’s really cool. It’s great to see the Rams coming to Watts and inspiring these kids. My last question is, how important is it for kids in these communities to see someone of color, like you, come back successful? What message do you want to leave with them?
John Johnson III: It’s so important to show them that anything is possible. If you dedicate yourself and put in the hard work, no matter your background or where you come from—whether it’s your economic status or anything else—none of that matters in the long run. I told them today, it all starts with school. Commitment, education, and hard work will pay off. Being here in person shows them it’s not just talk, it’s about action. It’s been a good experience.
Interviewer: Thank you so much.
In addition to Johnson’s insights, we also spoke with Lisa, a representative from Unify, who shared how this collaboration came about and why it’s so important for Unify Financial Credit Union to give back and support Johnson’s efforts.
Interviewer: Hello, Lisa. Can you tell us what brought Unify and the Rams together for this event?
Lisa (Unify Representative): It was largely driven by John Johnson. He’s very committed to giving back to the community, and so is Unify. We’ve partnered with him for a long time, and through conversations, we realized this was something he was passionate about, and so were we. We worked in conjunction with John and the Rams to secure donations for over 600 backpacks, and even the food was donated. It was truly a spectacular event.
Interviewer: That’s amazing! How do you feel events like this impact the communities around where the Rams play?
Lisa: I think whether it’s the Rams or any other company, it’s important for the community to know that you’re there for them. It’s not just about making money or selling tickets—it’s about being part of the community. When you give back, you represent the true spirit of the community, and that’s what Unify and the Rams are all about.
Interviewer: That’s wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing.
This event showcased not only the Rams’ dedication to their community but also the power of collaboration between local organizations and their ability to make a positive difference in the lives of young students.
