Johnnie Robinson is no ordinary retiree. She’s a proud grandmother, local leader, and hometown hero. This past August, she traveled with her family to the Olympics in Paris, France to watch her grandson, Bryce Deadmon, win gold in the men’s 4 x 400 meter relay. The trip served as not only a special experience for Robinson’s family, but also a sign of pride and joy for her community.
Robinson serves as the president of the Houston Association of Retired Teachers (HART). A retired teacher “from humble beginnings,” she worked in schools for more than 30 years.
“She’s always a part of what HART is doing,” said Marcy Cann, Immediate Past President of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). Cann describes Robinson as “no bigger than a mosquito,” but that her energy, intelligence, and activity have helped propel her community and family to great heights.
Deadmon describes Robinson as having a “very proactive” role in his life. He can still recall the numerous occasions Robinson would take him to track practice growing up. While Deadmon’s mother and father were working their jobs, Robinson would act “almost as a third parent.”
Robinson relishes her role as a “PROUD grandmother.” Robinson recalls that Deadmon ran all over the house as a toddler. “When I would take him shopping with me, I had him on a leash, tied gently around his middle, so I could keep up with him,” Robinson says.
Deadmon’s parents, Eric and Nekita (Robinson’s daughter), knew they had to channel his energy, so he played Little League baseball and football. Robinson remembers that Deadmon “was always making touchdowns because no one could catch him!”
One day, a scout from Track Houston Summer Track Club saw Deadmon running and approached his parents to inquire of his interest in running track. Robinson overheard the conversation, and remembers that he responded quickly with a resounding, “Yes!”
Deadmon first began his track career by running the 100-meter race and 110-meter hurdles. He excelled in both events and won many awards. As Deadmon got older, his coaches encouraged him to try the 400-meter race.
While Deadmon excelled on the track, Robinson made sure he stayed focused on his studies.
“I would think of my mother, Alberta Cains Mitchell, who greatly valued education and wanted all of her children and family members always do their best in school. When I would see Bryce’s report card or watch him at practice or a sporting event, I would just thank God for giving him that natural gift of running and maintaining good grades at the same time!” said Robinson.
“I would say as an educator, she was very influential in making sure me and my sister were on top of our reading,” Deadmon said.
Deadmon attended college at Texas A&M and received a Master of Business Administration in May 2021. He was even chosen by his classmates to give the Commencement Speech. In June 2021, Deadmon qualified to participate in the pre-trials for the Tokyo Olympics. He qualified to be a participant in the 400-meter relay pool. “Tears of joy was the expression I had over the news,” says Robinson. “My whole family was ecstatic!”
In July 2021, Deadmon and his teammates earned the bronze medal for the 4 x 400-meter mixed relay and a gold medal in the men’s 4 x 400-meter relay. In the Paris 2024 Olympics, Deadmon ran in both the semi-finals and finals for the mixed 4 x 400-meter relay and earned a silver medal. He also ran in the semi-finals and finals in the men’s 4 x 400-meter relay and won a gold medal. In Paris, Deadmon was chosen from a relay pool of many other qualified runners to compete in four races. “That was incredible! He was the blessed chosen one!” said Robinson.
Back in Houston, Marcy Cann and the rest of the Houston ART members were watching Deadmon perform in Paris with bated breath. Cann recalls that the local chapter was cheering him on. It felt like they “were a part of the team” and that “we all had somebody running.” Included in those retirees were some of Deadmon’s high school teachers. When Deadmon won the gold medal, Cann described it as “such a strong feeling of happiness and joy.”
“To be there in person, to watch Bryce and his teammates receive their medals, was almost overwhelming for us,” said Robinson. “We could not believe that we were witnessing history, with one of our own relatives a part of it.”
Deadmon shared with Robinson that “it was all so surreal” when he received his medals.
“During his career as a track athlete, he always had a desire to make it to the Olympics, not really thinking it would happen,” says Robinson. “He said that while he was at Texas A&M, there were many other track athletes that had better track records than his. He was proud to be one of their teammates, not thinking that he would be chosen to represent the USA.”
Robinson shares that Deadmon hopes to continue to run in other track and field events and participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Back in Houston, Deadmon will volunteer as an assistant coach with Track Houston and will have speaking engagements at many schools and churches. He’s hoping to dive into the business world or start his own business in the future.
For her part, Robinson will continue to focus on her role as a leader in the Houston retired educator community and being an active part of Deadmon’s life.
“If I could sum up my experience as a grandmother of a young man that God gave the natural gift of running (fast) from a toddler to a grown man, that eventually paid off in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics, the phrase would be: GRATEFUL TO GOD ALMIGHTY!”
