Tribute to a couple of loyal Temple football Owls

When he had a choice of representing Temple or Washington, Tre always picked the Owls.

They say no news is good news so it shouldn’t be surprising when there is news on a couple of Owls, it wasn’t good.

First and most important, Tre Johnson–a great offensive lineman from the Ron Dickerson Era–passed away suddenly on a family trip at the all-too-young age of 54.

No cause of death and it’s none of our business but it’s incredibly sad when someone that young passes.

Second and less important was the fact that Shaun Bradley hung up the cleats after five years in the NFL as a linebacker and special teams player. Ironically, Bradley wore number 54 with the Philadelphia Eagles and No. 23 at Temple before being awarded a single digit (5) before his junior season.

Both had something in common in that they spent their entire college careers as Temple Owls, something that will be less and less common as the years go on, unfortunately.

Both were leaders.

Johnson was drafted No. 31 overall–that would make him a first-round pick today–in 1994 but, then, it was high second-round. The pick turned out to be a good one for the then Washington Redskin as he made the pro bowl in 1999.

Bradley was a sixth-round pick of the hometown Philadelphia Eagles and was one of the best special team players as a rookie.

In 2019, Bradley help bridge the transition between Geoff Collins and Rod Carey and was captain of the team in his senior year. The Owls won seven games in Shaun’s junior year and eight games in his senior season and Carey gave him credit for keeping the team together after Collins left for Georgia Tech.

Bradley had two key stops in a goal-line stand in a 20-17 win over 21st-ranked Maryland, which beat No. 23-ranked Syracuse, 56-21, the week before they lost to the Owls. In fact, for two straight years Bradley was Maryland’s worst nightmare as he helped win the 2018 game at Maryland, 35-14, with a Pick 6.

The second time he beat Maryland was one of the most exciting goal line stands in Temple history The Terrapins had a first-and-goal from the 2 and ended the series back on the 5, going for it on fourth down.

Bradley also had the key play to end Cincinnati’s unbeaten season at Temple’s Homecoming, an interception that ended the game.

As he went out of bounds on the Cincy sideline, he waved goodbye to that team.

Bradley said he’s “excited for the future” and we’re sure that Temple education will bring him good things ahead. His life is just beginning so, while it’s sad he’s leaving football, the worst news of the days was we won’t get to see Tre Johnson anymore.

Johnson made an incredible impact in his 54 years and will be remembered as one of the team’s best offensive linemen in history.

Friday: A Significant Difference

4 thoughts on “Tribute to a couple of loyal Temple football Owls

  1. Mike, As you know, I’m a fan of Temple Football Forever, and never miss a post. I also entered Temple with Tre as freshman under Jerry Berndt. I’m heartbroken to learn of his passing yesterday. While I appreciate Shawn Bradley’s contributions. Tre deserved his own post.

    There are many amazing things that can be said about Tre as a player, as an athlete, as an alumni who contributed, most of all, the only thing bigger than Tre himself (who was a larger than life personality)was his heart, he was ferocious in the field but a kind and loving man. He will be missed.

    • Yes. I couldn’t find a single highlight reel of Tre’s and I looked at several platforms. Really, not that many photos of him on the internet, either. The position Bradley played gets a lot more love than OL and that’s been true since the beginning of football. You’re right. He deserved a post of his own but we only post twice a week and wanted to at least mention both because they happened the same weekend.

  2. I had the pleasure of playing right next to Tre, He was a great player and an incredible person. Such sad news to hear yesterday.

    • To get picked No. 31 out of the thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) who play all levels of football is a testament to his ability. More important, every single person said he was a great guy and this was long before yesterday.

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