Ron Schwane / AP
Cleveland Browns fullback Johnny Stanton takes the field during practice at the NFL football team’s training facility Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in Berea, Ohio.
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 | 2 a.m.
In 2018, former UNLV quarterback Johnny Stanton suffered an ankle injury that put him on the shelf at a crucial time, just as he was beginning to chase his dream of making it to the NFL. As an undrafted player who was being asked to change positions, Stanton needed to be on the field as much as possible in order to develop.
While he rehabbed physically, Stanton was just as concerned with making a difference off the field. New to being a professional athlete, he wanted to use his expanded platform for a good cause. He reassessed his values, and that led Stanton to join forces with Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
UNLV Rebels quarterback Johnny Stanton (4) looks to the end zone while being wrapped up by Hawaii Warriors linebacker Russell Williams Jr. (44) during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017.
Three years later, Stanton is now proudly a full-time fullback, a member of the Cleveland Browns and an ambassador for Athlete Ally.
“I always thought of myself as an ally, but I was never very active in it,” Stanton said. “Going through rehab, I just felt I needed to get my voice out there more — fully knowing I wasn’t the biggest voice in football, but knowing if I could give any kind of help to anyone that was looking for encouragement, that’s what I wanted to give them.”
As part of a Pride Month promotion, Stanton has been raffling off Browns memorabilia to raise funds for Athlete Ally.
The organization is active in reaching out to college athletic departments to promote inclusion, and they also lobby against legislation that targets LGBTQ+ rights.
Stanton is often vocal on social media in supporting LGBTQ+ issues, and he said simply lending his support to the cause has made a difference for some people.
“When I post things in support of the community, it almost always gets a direct message or a tweet from somebody saying, ‘I have never really felt welcomed in the athlete community, especially in football, but I appreciate you speaking out as an ally.’ Getting those kind of messages just makes me realize that putting my voice to it is helpful in itself.”
Because of his work with the LGBTQ+ community, Stanton understands how momentous it was for Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib to come out as gay two weeks ago. Nassib made his announcement in an Instagram post in which he also committed to donate $100,000 to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that is focused on suicide prevention in the LGBTQ+ community.
“A lot of the words I want to say might come out as patronizing,” Stanton said. “I don’t want to say I’m ‘proud of him’ because I’ve never met the guy, I just think it’s awesome what he did. And especially to back it with a donation to the Trevor Project, it was a home run.”
As far as football goes, Stanton is still working to prove he belongs. He made his NFL debut last year, playing in one game and logging snaps at fullback and on special teams. He’s set to head to camp for the Browns at the end of July in hopes of securing a roster spot for the 2021 season.
During his time at UNLV, Stanton served time at quarterback, linebacker, wide receiver and special teams, and he credits his malleable spirit for giving him a chance in the NFL.
“If I were to say anything other than adaptability is the reason I’m here, I’d be lying,” he said. “One thing I know deep down is that I love football. All I want to do is be out there on the field and play. From quarterback to special teams to linebacker to fullback, adaptability was No. 1.”
Stanton came back to Las Vegas in the spring and spoke to the UNLV football team at the invitation of tight ends coach Nate Longshore, who was the head coach at Santa Margarita High School (Calif.) during Stanton’s time there.
Stanton likes what Marcus Arroyo and his coaching staff are doing with the program, and he is also a fan of the Fertitta Football Complex, which was still in development when Stanton graduated.
“I’m excited to see where the team goes,” Stanton said. “I really think there’s something brewing there. Coach Arroyo, I’m excited to see what he can do with a full season and having all the guys all the way in and a full spring behind them. I think Arroyo is going to kill it.”
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
