WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012 B3

THE ADVOCATE-MESSENGER WWW.AMNEWS.COM SPORTS

JOHNSON, from B1 He found a familiar face in the student section, Vin- cent Swope. He’s the stu- Pattersons dent always wearing the referee’s shirt and is the one who hit the half-court shot earlier this season that won him $10,000 from Kroger. remember “When I was at Kentucky, I had this kid hit me up on the Internet. I am sociable and he told me he was a fan and liked how I played,” Johnson said. “We had a re- final game lationship. I ended up see- ing him in the student section and was hanging By LARRY VAUGHT Question: What do you with him and having a good [email protected] think Thursday night will time. It’s pretty weird that I be like for Nicole and ran into him of all people.” Patrick Patterson played Brian Miller, Darius Some might consider it his final game in Rupp Miller’s parents? “weird” that Johnson has Arena for Kentucky two Patterson: “I think urs- turned into the star he has. years ago and went day night will be very special He only played two years of through an emotional and very emotional for high school football because pregame ceremony with Nicole and Brian Miller. It Angelo Rodriguez High his parents, Tywanna and will be a happy occasion to School in Fairfield, Calif., Buster. He was only be able to share it didn’t have a team until his a junior, but was set with their family, junior year. He became an to graduate and Q‘n friends and the fans. all-state player and went to knew he was going BBN will enjoy being Chabot Junior College in to the NBA, so Ken- A a part of it as well. I California before transfer- tucky included him even sent them a ring to Kentucky. in the special cere- copy of the His first season at UK in mony. wwwyoutube.com video 2006, he had 12 catches for At that time, Darius Miller clip from ‘e Patrick Patter- 159 yards. However, his was a sophomore. On son Story’ on Nicole’s Face- breakout game came in the ursday, he’ll go through book page reminding her of Music City Bowl win over his senior night with his par- how we did it, and they were Clemson when he caught ents, Brian and Nicole, and also in the video.” three passes for 67 yards. As Tywanna Patterson and her a senior, he had 61 recep- husband will be there to cel- Question: How proud tionsfor 1,052 yards and 13 ebrate with them. are you of what Darius touchdowns and became a “Time does fly, but we has done since Patrick star on a team that also had are going to be there to cel- was like a big brother to Andre Woodson, Keenan ebrate with the Millers,” Ty- him? Burton, Jacob Tamme, wanna Patterson said. “We Patterson: “Buster, Pat- Rafael Little, Wesley Wood- are all just parents that love rick and I are very proud of yard and Dicky Lyons. our kids no matter how old Darius and all that he has e Bills made him a sev- they get and we continue to accomplished at Kentucky. enth-round pick, but want the best for them and I am especially proud and he didn’t get his first scoring for them to be happy and happy as a mom that he is catch until week 15. He fin- successful in life. Nothing getting his degree as well ished his rookie season with wrong with that. But we and that he has stayed in 10 receptions for 102 yards would not miss this for any- school all four years to ob- and two scores. e next thing. We can’t wait.” tain this. year, though, he managed Here are some thoughts “Education is very im- just two catches for 10 yards Tywanna Patterson shared portant and a great mile- after battling a severe rib in- Victoria Graff/[email protected] about her memories from stone. Not all athletes stay NFL Stevie Johnson did the “John Wall Dance” when he was introduced at midcourt during jury most of the year. that game two years ago: in school and finish their the Kentucky-Vanderbilt basketball game. “I was just so excited, I had to do something,” Johnson said. “I loved “I have come a long way degree. I know Brian and every minute of it and never expected the big ovation that I got.” in the last four years,” John- Question: What do you Nicole will be beaming son, a free agent, said. “I remember most about with pride and happiness. I have seen it all in my four against anybody. You go least equal in talent to me, good. e main thing is to Patrick's senior Day expe- look forward to being there years. I have had ups and through things and it will but it’s about where you end take care of my family. I have rience, and how emo- and sharing in their happi- downs. When you flat line, it mold you. I feel like I listen up. I was fortunate to end up a lot of couins, aunties, mom tional was it for you? ness as they were there to all comes down. Everything and learn from everything. I in Buffalo and got to play. and dad. I want to make Patterson: “I remember share in ours.” has been crazy the last two listen to the good and the e coaches saw something sure they are all taken care it well, especially how emo- years especially, but that bad. If you listen to too much in me and I got an opportu- of and with the new contract tional it was for me being Question: What advice makes you appreciate the good, you never learn. If you nity. It’s a weird league. that happens and then I can that it was Patrick’s final would you have for the good times more. take all the negative atten- ere’s a lot of talent you just focus on my craft and home game. What made it Millers about Senior “I am coming of age as a tion and mix it in with what never get to see because of getting to a Super Bowl. e even more special was that Night and life after UK NFL player. Outside of foot- you need to do, it shows you the team’s style of play only change with the con- Patrick was graduating in basketball? ball, I am going to always be how to grow up, something where a guy lands.” tract will be for the good.” May, and the finality of it all Patterson: “Enjoy each the same. I will have fun and we all have to do sometime. Where Johnson lands e contract negotiations made it even more emo- and every moment of senior talk to everyone. I’ve had my “e NFL is going to be next year remains in doubt. have not deterred him from tional and special. It was night. It is Darius’ and their celebrations and all that there forever. I have to He insists he would like to one thing — following Ken- great having our family family night to be acknowl- stuff (in the NFL). I will con- change to last longer. I want stay in Buffalo, where quar- tucky sports. there and Patrick’s grand- edged and to stand before tinue to have fun, but it’s to continue to be there and terback has “I try to keep up with as parents as well. It was also BBN and be recognized and more business now. My help people. ere’s a lot I signed a new deal. Buffalo much Kentucky sports as I great getting to share it with honored. name is known now. Now it can still do and a lot of peo- could use the franchise tag can. I try to watch the girls the fans and other team- “I am getting emotional is time to get to the next ple I can help.” on him to keep him, or let hoops team, and they are re- mates and their families.” just thinking about it. I know level. I want to play in the Johnson knows he’s al- Johnson test the free agent ally good,” Johnson said. “I I will cry just as I did with , go to the Super ready surprised many peo- market. was at the basketball game Question: How does Patrick. ere is still much to Bowl.” ple, including UK fans who “I was already planning (in Rupp). I saw the Missis- that game rank among do after UK basketball. e He became a starter in probably didn’t think he on making a change as far as sippi State game on ESPN. I your Kentucky memo- sky is the limit. Darius will 2010 and his breakout game might turn out to be the the type of mentality I have try to keep up with the foot- ries? have his degree, and the came when he made eight biggest NFL star off that 2007 on and off the field,” John- ball team. ey beat Ten- Patterson: It ranks very NBA is waiting as well. So catches for 158 yards and a team. son said. “I have put in time nessee and nobody cared high among my Kentucky many more opportunities score against Baltimore mid- “I came to Kentucky out with my quarterback. I know what happened the rest of memories. It makes it even and they can always come way through the season. of junior college and nobody my quarterback will be there the season. more special to win the back for games at UK as Two weeks later he had a ca- knew me,” he said. “I was for the long run. If I sing a “I try to do as much as I game for us and for BBN Buster and I do. Once UK … reer-high 11 catches for 145 not expect to shine. Keenan long-term deal, I can do all I can to check out Kentucky (Big Blue Nation). Some of always UK … . yards against Chicago. had been here since his can to build up the organi- all I can. I love Kentucky, the clips is also on “e door remains open But he also had his can- freshman days and playing zation. I am going to change and that’s what made get- www.youtube.com under and we are here for them tankeous monents. He imi- with big dogs like Glenn and become a better player ting to go out there at Rupp ‘The Patrick Patterson whenever they need us. tated a minuteman firing a Holt. He was established. and person around the Arena so cool. I just never Story,’ so I can always see Wow, time has flown by, but rifle and fell to the ground Tamme was the man. Rafael (team) facility.” thought Stevie Johnson some of his senior night lots of good memories. Go backward pretending to be was a star. ey were all tal- He says the expected fi- would ever get to do that.” online.” Cats and go BBN!” shot after scoring against ented guys. nancial windfall won’t New England and was fined “I guess I was just blessed change his personality or $10,000. to be in a great spot. It’s all hunger to star on the field. He had eight catches for about where you end up. “I am not going to relax 137 yards and three touch- ose guys (from UK) are because of the money,” he downs against Cincinnati, still probably better or at said. “My family will be but also poked fun at Cincin- nati receivers and Chad Ochocinco with a message he revealed on his T-shirt under his jersey and 1000 Hustonville Road • Danville (beside Sonic) was fined another $5,000. 859-236-0550 • kentowery.com He had two more contro- versial moments in 2011. e first came when he pre- tended to shoot his leg and Thank You for Voting Us then fly like a jet and pre- tended to crash, imitating BEST HEATING AND AIR wide receiver CONDITIONING BUSINESS . e second penalty called on Johnson IN THE REGION! was in week 17 against New Know someone with heating and cooling needs? England. Johnson lifted his Enjoy a $10 Speedway cash card for a new service jersey, revealing "Happy referral or a $50 Visa card for a new system sale. New Year" written on his un- dershirt. Coach benched Johnson for the rest of the game. “You can learn from any- License #M00355 KY HVAC thing and I have been through a lot of things,” Johnson said. “People who 132470 202 FORD STREET • DANVILLE, KY 40422 know me know the things I CALL 236-5417 or 800-248-2498 TODAY! did were not personal