Eagles Star Lane Johnson Donates $500K to Build Performance Center at Former School

Eagles tackle Lane Johnson is very much in his prime after two Pro Bowl seasons, and is just a year removed from a first-team All-Pro nod and a Super Bowl title. But he still remembers just how tough it was to get from where he was to where he is now.

Before getting drafted by the Eagles fourth overall in 2013, Johnson had switched multiple positions and multiple schools during his college years. His first stop was at Kilgore College, a junior college in East Texas, and while he only spent a year there before transferring, Johnson has not forgotten the program that gave him his start. He recently made $500,000 donation to the school to help them them build “The Lane,” a new athletic performance center.

His playing days at the school were a crucial part of his development. During his time at Kilgore, Johnson even played quarterback and tight end.

Via an official release from the college, Johnson said, "I wanted to give back to one of the places that was pivotal for helping with my success."

Johnson transferred the University of Oklahoma after his freshman year. He went on to play both tight end and defensive end in Norman before finally settling in as an offensive tackle and making third team All-America his senior year.

While the $500,000 donation won't hurt Johnson so much given his current $56.2 million contract, it'll be a major bonus to a small school like Kilgore. It's always heartwarming to see athletes give back to the communities and schools that helped shape them, and "The Lane" will surely stand for decades as a symbol of a dream realized.