Boise State RB receives racist threats
Ian Johnson has hired extra security for his Saturday wedding
Boise State RB receives racist threats
Ian Johnson has hired extra security for his Saturday wedding

Comments Comment on this article7

Published: July 25, 2007

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Boise State running back who scored the winning points in the Fiesta Bowl, then proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend on national television, says he has hired security for their wedding because of racial threats.

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Ian Johnson, who is black, and Chrissy Popadics, who is white, are due to be married Saturday in Boise.

Since his Jan. 1 proposal, Johnson said, he has received phone calls, letters and some personal threats from people who object to their marriage plans.

"You take it for what it is — the less educated, the less willing to change,” Johnson, 21, of San Dimas, Calif., told the Idaho Statesman for its Tuesday editions. "But we're not acting like we're naive to all the stuff that's going on. We know what's been said. We're going to make sure we're safe at all times. It's an amazing day for us, and we'd hate to have it ruined by someone.”

"It's really sad because a lot of people that are probably doing it are the same people who were cheering me on,” Johnson said.

A Boise State football spokesman, Todd Miles, said Tuesday that Johnson hoped to put the matter behind him and did not want to discuss it further. Popadics' family said she was not available.

At the Fiesta Bowl, Johnson used a "Statue of Liberty” play to score the winning two-point conversion as underdog Boise State beat the Oklahoma Sooners 43-42 in overtime. The Broncos ended their season 13-0.


 


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Carl, you are a disgrace to your state. Best wishes to the Johnsons from a Sooner fan in Arkansas.
john, Fort Smith - Jul 26, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore john
Carl, you are an IDIOT! Not surprised you're from Norman.
james, kansas city - Jul 25, 2007 at 9:53 pm
races shuld not mix. It is wrong.
Carl, Norman - Jul 25, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Carl
sad, so sad. Hope the best for their union.
Byron, Suitland - Jul 25, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Best of Luck
Lonnie, Midwest City, - Jul 25, 2007 at 3:33 pm
What's wrong with some people!?!!
Nancy, Hinton - Jul 25, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Pathetic!!!
eudell, Virginia Beach - Jul 25, 2007 at 12:27 pm

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