William Jewell College Athletics

John S. Johnston, a 1966 graduate of Park Hill High School, achieved outstanding success on the William Jewell Cardinal football team during his 1966-1970 college career.

During the fall of 1967, John was the leading tackler and was selected for the NAIA District 16 All- Conference team on the First Team Defense. In 1968 and 1969 he was named to both the First Team Defense and Offense. The NAIA All-American team named him to the honorable Mention Offense in1968. As a senior, he was Co-Captain of the football team with Tom Dunn and was also selected for the NAIA All American Third Team Offense. Also, he was chosen for the Associated Press Small College All- American third Team Offense the same year.

Dring the 1969 season, John was selected to the All-Conference team for the third team. He accounted for 101 tackles and two blocked punts, making the 1969 football team one of Jewell’s best. He was considered the team’s strongest blocker and an excellent pulling guard.

He was named to the Outstanding Athletes in American Colleges and Universities in 1969 and 1970. In 1970 he received a $1,000 scholarship for graduate study from the National Collegiate Athletic Association in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a scholar and athlete.

John was a member of Aeons, a senior men’s honorary fraternity, and a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. In 1969 and 1970, he was named to Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities. John graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics with honors from William Jewell.

Currently John is the partner and chair of the Tort Litigation Section, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. He was named to the 1999-2000 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation. John and his wife Deb live in Eastern Jackson County and have two children, Ben, and Will.