Rest Easy Ma”: Nebraska Star Mourns Mother’s Death With Emotional Note, Dylan Raiola & Co. Rush to Support….See More

There are moments in football that transcend wins and losses. Moments bigger than highlight reels and stat sheets. Dylan Raiola passed his trial run with flying colors this past season, but now it’s time to take the next step. Nebraska Cornhuskers’ program has been through its share of battles. Matt Rhule has advised his QB1 about rebuilding the squad around him with one step at a time. But right now, the whole Nebraska squad builds around their Pinstripe Bowl hero and key RB. The one that silently carried a weight far heavier than any blitzing linebacker or fourth-quarter deficit.

the Bronx lights. Standing near the Pinstripe Bowl trophy, with the MVP in his hand. The Nebraska running back flashed a smile that masked the storm he had been weathering for months. “Perfect ending,” he called it after the win over Boston College. A championship in his backyard, just minutes from where he grew up. But as the cameras turned away and the celebration faded, Johnson shared a different kind of victory.

The battle he had fought off the field, the grief that had followed him through a season of challenges, was one he finally acknowledged. His mother, Angela—his greatest supporter—passed away this fall. He shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, and teammates like star CB Amare Sanders and Dylan Raiola came in for full support.

Johnson poured out the words he had been holding inside: “I still really didn’t have a chance to really grieve your absence… But there’s one thing I do know… We going to be alright. So rest easy Ma.” It didn’t take long for his teammates to rally around him. Nations 63 ranked CB Sanders reposted Johnson’s tribute with a heartfelt message of his own: “Dollaz! Keep smiling for Ma Dukes. You blessed boy… best believe she looking down on you smiling.” Dylan Raiola, the five-star quarterback expected to lead Nebraska into a new era, quietly showed his support too. Left a simple like on Rahmir’s aka “rara” post, as his mom would call him.