Psychologists say there are many ways to motivate people. Two of them are positive and negative reinforcement. To see an example of these two methods, look no further than NIU’s All-American candidate LeShon Johnson..

Johnson is now an official candidate for the prestigious Doak Walker National Running Back Award. This honor is just one more indicator of how well Johnson has been playing.

“Johnson enjoys being thrust into the limelight,” said Huskie coach Charlie Sadler—a good thing seeing how Johnson’s name keeps showing up in pre-season honor units and publications.

Some of the publications which have recognized Johnson so far are Football Digest, Football Action ‘93 and College and Pro Football Newsweekly. Also, there’s a possible Sports Illustrated feature in the works, Sadler said.

“All this publicity is just going to make him play harder,” said Huskie quarterback Scott Crabtree.

Crabtree further said the positive reinforcement of the articles and stories should serve to fuel the players to achieve more and more each time.

Sadler is confident Johnson will live up to the preseason hype..

“He will play up to those expectations,” said Sadler.

However, despite the positive aspects of publicity, it also sets up the fear of negative reinforcement.

“When an athlete gets publicity and respect and then does not perform, people begin to doubt is ability,” says former teammate Rakeem Short. “This is something that would inhibit Johnson’s dream of playing pro ball.”

Despite his vast amounts of power and speed, Crabtree said Johnson still needs work on his receiving and his ability to cut. However, Crabtree said he feels Johnson’s ethics of dedication and hard work will pay off.

“In the pro’s, you have to have multiple skills to compete,” Short said. “If you can’t perform, they won’t play you.”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re All-Conference or All-American,” said Crabtree. “If you can’t perform, you won’t play.”

“When an athlete gets publicity and respect and then does not perform, people begin to doubt his ability. This (doubt) is something that would inhibit Johnson’s dream of playing pro ball.”

Rakeem Short, former NIU Huskie