Former University of Tennessee football student-athlete and now motivational speaker Inky Johnson will be providing a motivational and inspirational program at Tusculum College’s Pioneer Arena on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. on the Greeneville campus.
The event is co-sponsored by Mortgage Investors Group – Office of Nick Hirschy (NMLS Unique Identifier # 491929, TN License # 124766) and South State Contractors, Inc.
On September 9, 2006, it started as a normal college football game at Neyland Stadium. If anything, the event was an afterthought, dropped into the schedule at the last minute. For Inky Johnson, though, the game changed everything. A routine tackle turned into a life-threatening injury, and nothing has been normal for Inky ever since. Not with a paralyzed right arm. Not with daily pain. Not with constant physical challenges.
His dream had always been to play professional sports. You might think his injury would have destroyed his motivation and crushed his spirit. But that’s only because you don’t know Inky.
Who is Inquoris “Inky” Johnson? He could be described as the survivor of an underprivileged past. He could be described as a refugee of poverty and violence. He could be described as a success story stained by tragedy. But if you look deeper, you’ll discover something else.
You’ll see a man who looks in the face of defeat and says, “Am I really failing, or is God prevailing?” You’ll see a man gripped by the promise that God has purposes and plans far beyond our own. And you’ll be inspired by his relentless determination, which he loves to impart to others through his dramatic story.
Inky has a master’s degree in sports psychology from the University of Tennessee. He devotes much of his time to mentoring athletes and underprivileged youth.
Admission to the event is $10 per person and will be sold at the door on the day of the event beginning at 4 p.m. Tusculum College students, faculty and staff will be admitted free. Students, faculty and staff in the Greeneville and Greene County school systems will also be admitted free.
ESPN will have a SC Feature presentation on the Inky Johnson Story which will air this Sunday (Aug. 14) morning at 10 a.m. (EST).
