Be sure to check out Jenny’s interview on the Eternity Sports podcast.
You want to talk about pressure? Jenny Johnson Jordan has faced it. They call her “Triple J.” (That might be top 10 nicknames of all time.) Jenny comes from a long line of athletes. Not like, “Oh my dad played D2 ball, or my uncle played overseas.” We are talking Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famers.
“There were so many moments to give in and to sacrifice what we believe in, but standing with someone else who loves god, makes all the difference.”
Triple J is the daughter of Rafer Johnson, considered one of the best athletes of our time. He competed in the decathlon in the 1956 (silver medal) and the 1960 (gold medal) Olympics. On top of his Olympics feats, he started on the 1959-60 UCLA basketball team, coached by John Wooden. Oh, on the side, he got drafted in the 1959 NFL draft as a running back. Jenny’s uncle Jimmy Johnson is a five-time pro-bowler and NFL Hall of Famer.
Needless to say, these would be impossible shoes to fill. We’ve seen it time after time where star athletes’ kids struggle under the weight of certain expectations or are unable to make a name for themselves. Not so for Triple J. While the foundation of who she is comes from her family, a lot of the credit goes to Jenny. We talked extensively about her fortitude and what made her a great athlete.
“I learned quickly that being the best I can be, does honor the lord.”
As Jenny shares in her podcast, you hear the underlining importance of her faith. It was the biggest factor in the Johnson household—faith first, then the athletic accomplishments of the family. Although this seems like a small point and something can could be passed over, it resonates so loudly in who Jenny has become.
Who are we putting first? Let’s not let sports become who we are, or define us. We are children of God who has great plans for us. May we put our faith first, be intentional with our sport for God’s glory, and let’s PLAY FOR ETERNITY!
