ST. LOUIS — Reggie Blackwell was just a kid when Demetrious Johnson, a professional football player with the Detroit Lions, took him under his wing.
Blackwell was an incoming freshman at Ritenour High School. Johnson helped him practice drills over the summers, mentored him through Kansas State University and, when injury cut short Blackwell’s chances of playing professionally, advised him through a transition into the corporate world and, later, into radio broadcasting.
“That was a testament to his spirit, reaching out and helping, in particular, young Black men in the community,” said Blackwell, now CEO of a sports agency.
