Johnny Bishop has overcome adversity over the past year to get back on the field for the start of his senior season.
The Putnam County offensive lineman feels very lucky to have the chance to play with his teammates again after suffering a serious leg injury during a pass-blocking drill at spring practice in May 2024.
“We had a linebacker and a defensive end pushing to the same gap, which wasn't supposed to happen,” Bishop recalled. “I had two people come crashing down on my knee, and I folded over, and I tore my meniscus.”
Bishop was in immense pain. He had to be helped off the practice field by his teammates and coaches.
Bishop felt frustrated and uncertain about his future on the field after doctors told him he might not play again.
“I was truly devastated, and I honestly felt like I let my teammates down, but after talking to some of my coaches, they told me that the adversity I would face would just make me stronger,” the 6-foot-3, 300-pound offensive lineman said. “It made made want to get back as soon as I could and play football again.”
Supported by his coaches, Bishop was determined to prove the doctors wrong, so he started rehabilitation immediately. He began working with the trainers at the school and local physical therapists to repair his knee.
Bishop did the necessary exercises and followed the recovery plan provided to him.
“The doctors told me that I probably wouldn't be able to play again, and I didn't like that answer,” Bishop said. “I took it into my own hands to make that doctor believe that anymore and think that I could play. And after months of rehabilitation, I was able to play again. My knee has only been getting stronger ever since.”
Putnam County coach Joel Harvin, who has coached Bishop for three seasons, is proud of his perseverance.
“Johnny has been a workhorse for our program and a great leader,” Harvin said of his senior offensive lineman. “He leads in the school as well and is always doing what is right. He has been hindered by injuries the past couple of years, and we look to see what a healthy Johnny Bishop can do this year for us on the field.”
Bishop missed most of his junior season but played the last few games. He’s ready to have an impressive senior year.
Bishop hopes to play at the college level but knows he needs to work on a few things.
“It would feel amazing.. It’s always been a dream of mine to play at the college level,” Bishop said.
According to Bishop, a strength of this season’s team is the offensive line, where he plays as a guard on the interior, rotating spots. The senior mentioned that this group of linemen for the War Eagles is a close-knit bunch.
“We're all pretty tight,” Bishop stated. “All of us went to a camp together and competed. We’ve got our group chats. We all talk all the time. We go out to eat together and things like that. We always talk together.”
Bishop has high expectations for the offensive line, but also for the team in his final campaign with the War Eagles.
“I'm hopeful we'll go far. I love the team we have right now, especially our backfield,” he said. “I know we have a lot of key players back there, and we have a great offensive line. I'm praying for a really good season and a breakout year this time. I know we were disappointed last year, and many people expected us to go far, but I believe we can do it this year.”