Sidebar Story

Tempe, AZ — Behind the bar at Tempe Tavern and on the practice field at Seton Catholic Preparatory, Anthony Johnson balances a schedule few could imagine. Nights bartending and early mornings on the football field leave little room for sleep, yet Johnson keeps moving forward with the same energy and positivity.

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At the bar, coworkers say his work ethic is unmatched. Swany Swanson, who works alongside him, said she doesn’t know how he manages it.

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“He’s probably the most supportive coworker I’ve ever been in a workplace with,” Swanson said. “He’s always working around the clock and is never tired, and I’m exhausted. He’s just so helpful and caring about everybody.”

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Garret Havens, another bartender, said Johnson became a mentor when he first started.

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“He’s always here and in a good mood,” Havens said. “Always shows up even after football practice. Just great to work with.”

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Johnson’s dedication extends to the football field as well. He coaches his younger brother and has built strong relationships with the team, which helps fuel the long hours.

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Roman Decaro, Seton Catholic’s varsity line coach, said Johnson stands out among his peers for his consistent positivity, even during the toughest stretches.

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“He was really positive all the time,” Decaro said. “When things aren’t going too hot, I noticed how positive he was and how he really stayed the course. He never got riled up, never got agitated.”

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One of Johnson’s busiest days illustrates the extreme balancing act he manages. Early in the season, his first game took the team to Round Valley, roughly a two-hour drive from Chandler. The night before, Johnson worked a busy Thursday shift at the bar that didn’t end until 3 or 4 a.m., then had to be on the bus with the team by 10 a.m. the next day.

 

The team returned home late Friday night, leaving Johnson running on just a few hours of sleep.

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“With that about 24-hour stretch, there was a lot of work to be done, a lot of coaching to be done,” Johnson said. “But it ended up being a really successful couple of days, even though it was really busy.”

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For Johnson, the long hours are worth it. The work may be exhausting, but the payoff comes in relationships with players, helping his brother, and the personal satisfaction of staying committed to something he loves.

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“The one way I stay motivated is knowing that the two jobs make me a good amount of money so that during the part of the year that I’m not coaching, I’m able to relax and hang with my family a lot more,” he said. “So just grinding for those specific six months makes it worth it.”