(Photo via landof10.com)

This was it. The moment running back Rahmir Johnson had built up in his head since the day he picked up a football. The phone call that would solidify his college football career. Even more exciting, the reaction from his fans and close circle after receiving the news of his commitment to play for the University of Nebraska. But before hanging up the phone with coaches Ryan Held and Scott Frost, he asked them one thing: Keep it a secret.

Known by most as “the fastest kid in New Jersey,” Johnson is a 4-star running back recruit out of Bergen Catholic High School. While he shines on the football field at school, he is a mentor across the state border in Harlem, where he lives.

When Johnson accepted his offer to Nebraska – which he chose over 14 other schools that also offered scholarships - he wanted to share the special moment with the youth organization that introduced him to the game he loves.

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The Harlem Jets is a program that promotes sports for young children to grow and prosper. They offer youth leagues for football, cheerleading, basketball, wrestling, and academic services. The program’s founder and president, Jamel Wright, watched Johnson grow into the man and player he is today, recalling him at first as a shy, young boy.

“Rahmir’s always been a quiet, kind of introverted kid,” Wright said. “He showed up that way.”

Johnson kept Wright informed when it came down to his final four schools – Boston College, Ole Miss, Rutgers and Nebraska. So when Johnson made his final decision, Wright knew how special it would be for the kids to know before anyone else.

“It lets them know that if you do the right thing and you work hard and you’re dedicated and you’re committed to, first and foremost, your academics, then to sports and so on and so forth, then you can attain a level of success without compromising your integrity and just by being a good guy,” Wright said.

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Johnson agreed to hold onto his secret for three days after his phone call with the Huskers coaches. His announcement would be a special experience, especially for the youth football players because not everyone makes it as far as he has.

“I was like, ‘Yeah, I think it would be a good idea to announce my commitment in front of the kids out in the city,’ ” Johnson said. “So they could see a person growing up like them, young [going to an NCAA Division I school]. I thought it would be good for the kids to see something like that, a nice thing to happen for the city of Harlem.”

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As expected, the announcement drew many smiling faces and cheers from the entire organization. He later revealed his commitment to the public via Twitter. The experience came full circle for Johnson, molding the reality of The Harlem Jets motto, “Once a Jet, always a Jet."

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