SAN ANTONIO -- His father was buried last week. Now Texas
A&M backup quarterback Jerrod Johnson takes comfort in knowing how many lives the former Aggie influenced.

50-year-old Larry Johnson died on December 17th, two days after
suffering a stroke. He was a receiver and defensive back for A&M
from 1976-79. He worked in the Humble school district since 1985
and was in his first year as the principal there.

Johnson's funeral drew more than 3,000 mourners. Some of them
were ex-teammates and coaches from A&M. Others were old friends and former students mentored by Johnson.

Johnson and the Aggies play Penn State on Saturday in the Alamo
Bowl.

The day of Larry Johnson's funeral, interim A&M coach Gary
Darnell moved an afternoon practice to the morning so players could
attend. Former A&M coach Dennis Franchione was there, and former
Aggies basketball coach Billy Gillispie sent his condolences.
Jerrod Johnson was a reserve for Gillispie last season.