![\"Millsap](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_0400.JPG\" "\\"Millsap")
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Millsap head coach Jacob Johnson will receive cancer treatment at a hospital the next three weeks. His son, Braun Johnson, said he has his back.<\/p>\n
Millsap Football \/ Felts Photography<\/p>\n
Courtesy to the Star-Telegram<\/p>\n
Millsap head football coach Jacob Johnson has been battling chronic myeloid leukemia for more than three years.<\/p>\n
In December, his cancer developed a rare mutation, which required him to receive intensive treatment and a stem cell transplant. He couldn\u2019t see his family during the stretch, so he and his son, Braun Johnson, built a routine over the phone.<\/p>\n
They talked every day and pushed each other to complete their workouts. Those looked a bit different, as Braun is Millsap\u2019s starting running back.<\/p>\n
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Millsap head coach Jacob Johnson is photographed with his son, Braun Johnson, at a football game. Millsap football \/ Felts Photography Courtesy to the Star-Telegram <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019d have my back, and I\u2019d have his,\u201d Jacob Johnson said. \u201cSo, that\u2019s a pretty special deal between me and him.\u201d<\/p>\n
For months, Jacob Johnson\u2019s health had been improving. But in mid-September, his cancer relapsed. He was readmitted to the hospital Monday, where he\u2019ll spend three weeks receiving intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and another transplant.<\/p>\n
As a result, he\u2019ll miss the Bulldogs\u2019 next three games (Rio Vista, Eastland and Hamilton). He\u2019ll be separated from a team that is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in District 5-3A Division II, one year after finishing 1-4 in district.<\/p>\n
Relying on their bond and faith, the father-son duo aims to get through it the same way they did in December: together.<\/p>\n
An obstacle in a strong season<\/p>\n
Braun was one of several key players who hit a \u201cstorm of adversity\u201d last season, Jacob Johnson said. Facing a tough schedule, Millsap started 13 sophomores and a freshman and finished 3-7 (1-4).<\/p>\n
Jacob Johnson said the team held a \u201cbig picture focus,\u201d and those growing pains put Millsap in a position to thrive this season. He said the players aren\u2019t surprised by the turnaround.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t say that arrogantly,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a matter of fact. We expect when we step onto the field to be able to compete with anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leading the charge is Braun, a junior who is having a statistically absurd season. He is among national leaders with 16.6 yards per carry, 1,415 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns and 235.8 yards per game.<\/p>\n
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Millsap running back Braun Johnson makes a play. Millsap Football Courtesy to the Star-Telegram <\/p>\n
Braun credited his faith first and then the teammates blocking in front of him. According to his father, there\u2019s something others haven\u2019t seen that has powered his success.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe literally works out on top of what we do at school,\u201d Jacob Johnson said. \u201cHe does his own every night. I have to stop him. I have to say, \u2018Hey, you got to stop. You got to rest.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Balancing the roles of coach and dad can be challenging for some. Johnson, however, said he doesn\u2019t separate the two roles. He said he\u2019s coached most of the kids for years and can be a father figure if needed.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Football] is a ministry to me. One hundred percent a ministry,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t care who you are. If you\u2019re going to step into our program, you\u2019re going to be treated the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Braun said his teammates have never treated him as the coach\u2019s kid.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a lot of schools, a coach\u2019s kid is treated poorly, or nobody respects them,\u201d Braun said. \u201cBut here at Millsap, they see me as just another player, another brother. \u2026 [My father] sees me every day, I get to see him every day, and then we get to go out on the field and play together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Due to Jacob Johnson\u2019s cancer, it\u2019s been an emotional time for Braun and the rest of the Bulldogs. Braun called the season a \u201cspiritual experience\u201d and \u201cbigger than football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Braun said players, coaches and fans are rallying behind the team\u2019s success and showing support for his dad.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who are Millsap Bulldogs are proud to be Millsap Bulldogs,\u201d Jacob Johnson added.<\/p>\n
Coaching from the hospital<\/p>\n
Jacob Johnson said he has the utmost faith in his assistant coaches to lead the team while he is away. They\u2019ve done it before \u2014 when he received treatment in December, the assistants kept everything running smoothly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt ran better than if I was there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Jacob Johnson said returning to treatment will be extremely challenging physically, mentally and emotionally. He also said his faith in God, his wife, children and football team keep him motivated.<\/p>\n
He said he prays every night to be returned to his family and his program.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think about Jesus and what Jesus went through and how he did it willingly,\u201d Jacob Johnson said. \u201c\u2026 He did it for me. So, I\u2019ve got to go do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even from the hospital, his presence will be felt.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll join game-planning calls, review film and send corrections on Hudl. During games, he\u2019ll watch the stream and call his offensive coordinator in the press box.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a blessing and a curse that it\u2019s going to happen during football season,\u201d Jacob Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s a curse because I\u2019m going to miss a couple of games. But it\u2019s a blessing because I\u2019ll have stuff to do. I can watch tons of film.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Braun and his teammates, the next three weeks will test everything his father has taught them.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad\u2019s trained us since we were in kindergarten,\u201d Braun said. \u201cThis is just going to show that what he taught us we can apply, even though he\u2019s not there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Millsap will face Rio Vista (3-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at Rio Vista.<\/p>\n
Braun said his father\u2019s absence will take an emotional toll. But he said football has become their way to keep their promise to each other.<\/p>\n
\u201c[The cancer] doesn\u2019t take my mind off football, because my dad trains me for football,\u201d he said. \u201cIt motivates me [to do better].\u201d<\/p>\n
Relying on faith, Millsap community<\/p>\n
A banner on the fence at Millsap\u2019s field draws from 1 Corinthians 16:13, which tells men to be watchful, firm in their faith and strong. Jacob Johnson said the message applies whether he is on the sideline or not and wants players to be \u201cyoung men of integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you the same guy in the first quarter and the fourth quarter?\u201d he said. \u201cOr do you let circumstances change you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Back in August, Jacob Johnson told his players that the greatest stories come from life\u2019s hardest moments. He told them nobody makes movies about people who don\u2019t face extraordinary challenges.<\/p>\n
He quickly added that he doesn\u2019t consider himself extraordinary. But the situation he faces is.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt times, it seems dark and adverse,\u201d Jacob Johnson said. \u201cBut morning\u2019s coming. We just got to hold on. Morning\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Braun said he aims to continue his strong season while relying on his faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cShowing what a man of God can do through the power of Jesus,\u201d Braun said. \u201cAnd what Jesus can do for people.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a video posted to X<\/a> Monday that received an outpouring of support, Jacob Johnson asked for prayers and said the following:<\/p>\n \u201cI will fight for the Lord,\u201d he said. \u201c\u2026 I\u2019m going to fight with everything I have. I\u2019m going to fight for my family. For my wife. For my children. I\u2019m going to fight for this team.\u201d<\/p>\n Even in his absence, there will still be a Johnson on the field.<\/p>\n \u201cI tell him I\u2019m going to have his back always, because he always had mine,\u201d Braun said.<\/p>\n