Football: Ex-Cajun Johnson helps to carry McCain’s casket + more on start of 2018 season

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, Aug. 31, 2018

Former UL offensive lineman Terry Johnson (in white, foreground) was part of the honor guard carrying the flag-draped casket of Senator John McCain to a memorial service Thursday at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Arizona. (Photo: Rob Schumacher, The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK)

Former Ragin’ Cajuns offensive lineman Terry Johnson played a role Thursday in the sendoff for the late Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Johnson served on the honor guard that carried McCain’s flag-draped casket into North Phoenix Baptist Church for a memorial service attended by former United States Vice President Joe Biden, among others.

According to the UL football program, Johnson currently is a Navy E-3 Seaman.

Johnson played three seasons for UL on a trio of New Orleans Bowl-winning teams, first as a reserve offensive lineman and on special teams in 2012, then as starting left guard in 2013 and as starting center in 2014.

He’s a product of Oxford High in Oxford, Mississippi, who came to UL from Northwest Mississippi Community College.

McCain, a Vietnam War POW, served as a U.S. senator since 1987 and was the Republican nominee for president in 2008.

He died last Saturday, after a lengthy battle with brain cancer.

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