BAKER — The Rotary Club of Crestview's 23rd Annual Wild Game Feast and Quail Hunt is Feb. 19-20.
When former Baltimore Raven and San Diego Charger Jarret Johnson takes the podium Feb. 19 at Gum Creek Lodge, it will be his first time at the event, a fundraiser for the Northwest Florida State College athletic program.
Johnson, who retired to Niceville after his career in the National Football League, had a simple reason for accepting the speaking engagement.
“They asked me,” he said. “I honestly don’t know a lot about it.”
But he recently spoke to NWFSC's baseball team, and understands who will benefit from the dinner.
“It’s an interesting amount of talent you have there,” he said. “Some of the players might not have had the grades coming out of high school. And others were trying to position themselves better for professional ball or to get to four-year school.”
Johnson, who grew up in Cedar Key, moved to Niceville after retiring from football. He said his family was familiar with the area because they vacationed in Destin. They were attracted to the area because of the schools and the outdoor opportunities.
“My last few years playing, I started planning for retirement,” the 34-year-old said. “Some things worked out and some things haven’t. I’m staying busy.
“I do a radio show with a station in Baltimore during football season. I run an inshore charter fishing business and I’m starting to get into insurance.”
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Wild Game Feast speaker Jarret Johnson staying busy