Jacksonville Jaguars Linebacker Caleb Johnson is our 2024 READ to Succeed Award Honoree. The READ to Succeed Award honors someone who embodies how reading fuels success in life.
Just as he pursues victory on the football field like a “Ball Hawk,” Caleb is known among his family, friends, and colleagues as also being a “Book Hawk” because of his love of reading – even in the locker room. His passion for reading started early in life, when he would pick up his mom’s books as a toddler while she was studying for her associate degree, trying to sound out words and read them. He also read frequently to his youngest of two brothers, two favorites of theirs being Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Magic Tree House books.
Caleb grew up in a military family and frequently relocated, so, “I got used to being the new kid in class,” Caleb shared with Jeremy, READ USA’s fictional namesake storyteller of the Jeremy’s Journey book series, when his book was published earlier this year. “It wasn’t always easy, and I think it helped me adjust to new situations in life and my career.” He credits both of his parents as excellent role models who were fully present in his life.
Caleb’s competitive spirit also developed early in him. He remembers well his first day playing tackle football when he learned a valuable lesson that’s stuck with him through today. He made a great play and then got completely run over the next play, but he dusted himself and got back in the game. “You can love the game, but the game doesn’t have to love you back. I’m competitive and I love to win, so I just keep going,” he told Jeremy.
Caleb went on to play football in high school and college, winning several awards along his journey, including the Leadership Award, Captain Award, and Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. While in college, he met the two most important people in his life, saying “I met my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…and I also met the love of my life, Jade, who became my wife.” They married in Atlantic Beach in February of 2023 after he was picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022. “He was the guy we targeted,” Jacksonville Jaguars Special Teams Coordinator Heath Farwell told Jeremy. “He’s exceeded expectations.”
Caleb’s love of reading has only grown deeper during his football career. He’s currently writing and illustrating his own children’s book, titled The Candlemaker. He has also been a strong supporter of nonprofit organizations focused on early childhood literacy, including READ USA and also serving as vice president of The Good People’s Foundation, which is focused on literacy and community enrichment.
“I love READ USA,” Caleb told Jeremy emphatically. “The mission is wonderful, and our kids have someone looking out for them.” Caleb has been a READ USA Book Fair sponsor and volunteer and has also participated in several Literacy Locker Rooms through the Jacksonville Jaguars where players come to local elementary schools to host a literacy pep-rally, read alouds, and a book giveaway with READ USA. In reflecting on his passion for youth, reading, and READ USA’s efforts to promote literacy, Caleb told Jeremy, “Effort is the number one thing no one can teach you to do. In football and in life, you must always do your best and never let yourself or your teammates down. Remember that your effort is about something bigger than you!”
We agree 100%, Caleb, and couldn’t have said it better ourselves! We are grateful for your involvement with us and your commitment to our youth and literacy! We are so excited to celebrate you in October.
You can read more about Caleb by ordering his Jeremy’s Journey book for $20/copy here.