Weston Johnson, a former University of Wyoming linebacker and Sheridan High School assistant coach, is currently fighting for his life.
According to the Facebook page "Never Flinch," which was established to support Johnson as he battled metastatic melanoma, a form of cancer, Johnson's family was with the former UW captain Tuesday, but the prognosis for recovery didn't look good.
"It's pretty bleak," a member of the Sheridan coaching staff said, adding that while Johnson was unable to attend the Broncs' practices this past season he was still considered an assistant coach.
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Even though Johnson spent this past year traveling between his home in Wray, Colo., and Houston, where he received medical treatments, he remained at the forefront of the minds of the Sheridan players.
Senior Daniel Sessions listed Johnson as the "Most Influential Person In Your Life" in his Super 25 bio for the Star-Tribune. Sessions noted that the Broncs had adapted Johnson's "Never Flinch" saying as their team motto this past season.
Johnson, who turns 27 on Wednesday, was first diagnosed with melanoma two years ago. Prior to that he had served as the defensive graduate assistant coach at UW in 2011 and coached the defensive backs at Sheridan in 2012.
At Wyoming, Johnson was considered the emotional leader of the Cowboys' defense in 2009. He led the team in tackles for loss with 13 and finished fourth on the squad with 101 tackles. In UW's 35-28 overtime victory against Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 19, 2009, Johnson had five tackles and a fumble recovery.
Johnson, who graduated with a 3.44 GPA in marketing, was also a four-year selection to the Mountain West All-Academic team while at Wyoming.
Johnson was a multi-sport athlete at Wray High School, earning all-state honors in football, basketball, baseball and track.
Contact sports reporter Jack Nowlin at 307-266-0528 or jack.nowlin@trib.com. Follow him on Twitter @CASJackN