It was exciting to hear Sunday that Selma native Michael Johnson will rejoin the Cincinnati Bengals, the team where he spent the first five years of his NFL career.

Still in the prime of his career, the Bengals are hopeful that Johnson can jumpstart a Cincinnati pass rush that fell to the bottom of the league last season.

No matter where he is, we know Johnson will continue striving to make a difference in the Selma community and continue to be a role model for our youth.

He holds a football and cheer camp each spring and organizes “fun fests” for area youth when he gets a chance in the summer.

Johnson also flew dozens of area seniors to Tampa Bay for a Buccaneers’ game last season and then spent time with each of the students after the game. He took photos and signed autographs.

Like all cities, Selma has its share of problems,  but Johnson continues to be a bright spot for our area.

We suggest area youth look to the Bengals’ star to see that anything is possible with hard work.

When he takes the field, the eyes of the world and more specifially, Selma, are watching.

We wish Johnson luck as he begins his second stint in Cincinnati, but we also thank him for the example he continues to set.