Rising Stars Football Academy Foundation
Executive Director, Ron Johnson

Coach Johnson started his career at York Catholic High School, where he is a member of the York Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a Big 33 Nominee and went on to play Defensive End for the Shippensburg University Red Raiders. He earned All-Conference PSAC Honors at Ship 3 out of 4 years and is 3rd on the All-Time sack list.

In 2003, he graduated from Ship with a B.A. in Speech Communications. That same year, he was selected as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2003 NFL Draft. He was selected to the practice squad for the first 4 weeks of the season before being promoted to the active roster. That year, 4 out of 22 Rookie Free Agents from camp made the Eagles Active Roster, and Ron was one of the 4.

In his 2nd season with the Eagles, he suffered a career-ending spinal cord injury and was released. He suffered a ruptured disc and nerve damage in his L5 S1. Coach Johnson rehabbed and underwent numerous treatments and surgery to try to make a comeback to the league. After rehabbing the injury, he was then selected as the #1 Draft Pick in the 2005 NFL Europe Free Agent Draft and was selected to play for the Hamburg Sea Devils in Germany. Ron officially retired from the NFL in 2005 due to the severity of his spinal injury and other injuries he sustained. Physicians never cleared him to play again.

Upon retiring from the NFL, Ron had a vision to start a football camp for players of all levels to teach advanced techniques and skills to help players take their game to the next level. He also wanted to incorporate a focus on education, leadership, and student-athlete development. He wanted to inspire football players to lead by example and succeed in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. He wanted to help in the areas of overall development to help his campers succeed in all facets of life.

Now in year #19 for our football camp and year #3 For our Girls Flag Football Camp, our coaches and staff have helped countless student-athletes advance their games on the field to become better football players and have also helped our athletes succeed in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. We have had several players from our football camps go on to play at the FBS Division I, FCS Division I, Division II, Division III, and JUCO collegiate levels. 

We have also had girls from our Girls Flag Football Camp go on to receive scholarships to play Collegiate Women’s Flag Football.

Outside of camp, Coach Johnson enjoys speaking to student-athletes around the country and enjoys sharing his story to inspire them about what it takes to succeed in life, mindset, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of education.

Coach Johnson is also a keynote speaker and an author and enjoys sharing his story to motivate business professionals and people of all ages to achieve their goals and dreams. 

Coach Johnson is in his 15th year as the Defensive Line Coach at Red Lion High School in York County’s YAIAA in District III. He loves coaching and teaching the game of football but enjoys helping student-athletes achieve their academic and athletic goals.

If you would like to learn more about Ron Johnson speaking engagements and opportunities, please contact Coach Johnson at ron@risingstarsfootballacademy.com, 717-434-4558

Mission Statement
The Rising Stars Football Academy is more than a football academy. We seek to teach and provide essential life and social skills to student-athletes of all backgrounds and demographics with the aim of fostering their success in the classroom, in their communities, and on the field. We strive to instill in our student-athletes the importance of academic excellence, mental/ physical/ emotional health, and financial literacy to help them achieve their academic, athletic, and personal growth and wellness. This is all part of youth development that will help prepare them for their future.

Vision Statement
Understanding the rare probability of attaining a long-time professional athletic career, we want to continue to foster athletic talent and discipline while also ensuring that our students are prepared for fulfilling career paths off the field and in the classroom, to continue into higher education or to seek vocations that will sustain and provide for them after their athletic careers end. Our vision is to ensure that our services and programs are especially available to the underprivileged youth in our communities who financially struggle or who otherwise may not have the support or resources to reach us.