Former Union and Jenks Runningback Killed in Car Accident

Former Union and Jenks running back Renard Johnson was killed Monday afternoon on Interstate 44 in Ottawa County. Johnson, a current player for Missouri Southern University, was on his way home to Tulsa when his car slid into the back of another vehicle. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Johnson, 21, was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from his vehicle. Missouri Southern head coach Bart Tatum released a statement this morning, "Renard was a very well-liked teammate, student and friend.His passing leaves a tremendous void for not only our team but the Missouri Southern community as a whole. Our prayers go out to his father, Renard Sr., and his immediate family especially, his girlfriend Courtney Johnson and his son Jockquez Elijah." Johnson helped lead the Union Redskins, coached by Bill Blankenship, to the Oklahoma Class 6A state championship in 2005, rushing 38 times for 255 yards and one touchdown in the title game. He finished his senior year with 1,665 yards and 24 touchdowns on 261 carries, an average of 6.4 yards per carry. Johnson transferred to Union after playing his sophomore and junior seasons at Jenks, Okla., and helping the Trojans to runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2004. Johnson had just completed his redshirt-sophomore season in which he rushed for 417 yards on 109 carries and 1 touchdown. He was a business management major at Southern.