A Sports Medicine Degree
Johnson first became interested in sports medicine when he injured himself playing football in high school. Until that time, he wanted to be an architect. "My high school didn't have an athletic trainer," he recalls. "The work that the outside trainer did with me was just so intriguing."

That's why when he chose to attend Indiana State University (Terre Haute, IN) and major in physical education. There he took classes like anatomy and physiology, health, as well as some basic sports medicine courses. He also focused on athletic training curriculum that taught him bandaging, functional tests for injuries, and rehab techniques. Part of his sports medicine study regimen was to travel with the college sports teams and practice as an athletic trainer. "This taught me how to travel, how to pack, and how to deal with athletes, doctors, and coaches," he says.

Jobs with the Big Leagues
In 1989, Johnson earned a bachelor of science degree and soon began volunteering for football's Indianapolis Colts. "I did everything for them. I poured Gatorade and water and I didn't hang out with the guys," says Johnson. "I was the first one there and the last one to leave." Johnson thinks this attitude and drive helped him make a name for himself and establish his credentials as a hard-working individual. He went on to work with NBA's Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards before coming to the Sixers.

In-Season
During the season you can find Johnson working with players in rehab and on-the-court injuries. "I go out on the court, assess the injury, and see if a doctor should look at it," he says. "The doctor looks at it and defines the final status. I have to determine if he'll be out for the next game or practice."

Time Out
In between seasons, Johnson assists with player physicals, follows up on exams, and prepares for the summer league and draft. He takes a look at the profiles of the potential players his team is interested in for the draft and contacts their college athletic trainers to review their medical histories.

Scoring a Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 15,000 people held jobs as athletic trainers in 2004, earning an average salary of $33,940 each year. However, the BLS states that the job requires many long hours, saying that professional athletic trainers work the most hours per week. Says Johnson, "You have to be willing to volunteer, work for free to get in, and give of your time. It's a 24/7 job during the season. You have to be available."

Winning Rewards
On the positive side, jobs for athletic trainers are expected to grow faster than the average by the year 2014, according to the BLS. And as an athletic trainer, you'll get to travel with teams. "I've been to Spain, Germany, Mexico, Canada, and all over the place. It's one of the benefits of the job," says Johnson. "I'm able to travel for free and enjoy my job."

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