Keyon Johnson ‘94

Keyon Johnson ‘94 currently works in sports public relations for the San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and the Golden State Warriors, where he assists each team's communication departments with day-of-game communications and media relations. He is responsible for ensuring that press conferences are conducted smoothly and media outlets receive the information necessary to produce stories, including statistical information and quotes from key organizational personnel. 

After graduating from De La Salle, Johnson attended Los Medanos College, where he played football and earned his Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts. Johnson then transferred to Grambling State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and Master of Science degree in Sport Administration. 

Johnson began his career in 2001 as an intern within the ticket operations department with the newly formed Houston Texans. He was introduced to the Vice President of Communications of the organization, Tony Wyllie. Wyllie provided him with opportunities to assist on the communications team after his ticket operations duties were fulfilled. This opportunity led to Johnson attending the 2002 National Football League meeting in Houston, Texas. At this meeting, Johnson recognized a familiar face from his past. That face was Tom Bowen (Former Athletic Director at De La Salle High School). Bowen was the 49ers Foundation Director. Bowen then introduced Johnson to the 49ers Director of Communications, Kirk Reynolds, and Assistant Director of Communications, Jason Jenkins. The three engaged in a conversation, which led to Reynolds and Jenkins offering Johnson an opportunity within the 49ers' communications department. Johnson worked for a season within the communications department and another year in the corporate sales department before ultimately leaving the organization to explore other opportunities. 

Those opportunities led Johnson to create On Key Public Relations. The focus at On Key PR is to assist organizations in expanding their brand awareness through highlighting members, projects, and awards through various media outlets. 

Keyon takes pride in being approachable, mentoring, and creating/maintaining relationships.       

“I have lived my adult life with the principle that networking is one letter away from not working,” Keyon explained.

He also stated that the best part of his job is all the different people that he has met and relationships that were formed, and also seeing the growth of some of the people that he has mentored throughout his career.

As a proud alum of De La Salle, Johnson credits a change in his life when he was called into the office of Coach Terry Eidson. Coach Eidson recognized that Keyon was barely doing enough to stay, but that would not get him to where he would be successful. He needed to push himself if he wanted to be better and compete. That conversation opened his eyes to seeing the bigger picture, and from that, Johnson began to push himself in school, sports, and life. The turnaround was evident in the way he moved through life. That lesson is something that he continues to live by and shares with his kids. He would like to thank Coach Eidson for noticing and not allowing him to settle for being mediocre.

A message that Keyon would like to leave to today’s Spartans is to always push yourself to be the best, ask questions, and most importantly, create and maintain relationships. Remember, a lot of times, who you know is more important than what you know.     

We recently caught up with Keyon to learn more about what he has been doing since he attended De La Salle, and to find out what makes him tick.

LIFE AFTER DE LA SALLE

Where did you go to college?
Los Medanos College then transferred to Grambling State University

Where do you currently work?
San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Golden State Warriors

What do you most enjoy about your work?
I feel like I get paid to be around sports that I have always loved.

What is one thing you are most proud of?
Relationships were created, and some of the young professionals that I have mentored grew.

 

THE DE LA SALLE EXPERIENCE

If you could have dinner with any DLS teacher or administrator (past or present), who would it be and why?
Mrs. Gardner (My Spanish teacher at DLS) to tell her thank you for always believing in me.

What is your fondest memory while at De La Salle?
The relationships that I built there and how to relate to different cultures and personalities.

What do you know now that you wish you had known during your time at De La Salle?
I wish I had known that I could being yourself is good enough.

What was something you absolutely loved being a part of at De La Salle?
The brotherhood that we shared there.

How would your fellow Spartans have described you when you attended De La Salle?
Probably the kid who was cool with everyone.

What was one life lesson that De La Salle taught you?
Nothing will be handed to you. You get what you earn.

 

JUST FOR FUN

If you had one year and unlimited funds, what would you do?
Live the same way that I live now. Love my family and be the best person that I can be to everyone.

What's on your bucket list?
Great question. Maybe see my kids grow to be productive citizens and live a great life

If you were a dessert, what would you be?
Not sure. I’m not a dessert person.

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
One Love by E-40

What was the last gift you gave someone?
I purchased tickets for my daughter to see Olivia Rodrigo

Do you want to give a Spartan shoutout to any of your De La Salle friends and, if so, who?
Class of 1994, I’m proud of all of you folks. Continue being the example.