Ex-QB enjoying post-football life

The next time you’re in a Regal movie theater, snuggled in a plush La-Z-Boy-like seat with your feet up, give thanks to a former UH quarterback.

Johnny Macon is the senior project manager for the company that installed the luxury seats and platforms at Regal Cinemas Windward, Regal Pearl Highlands Stadium, and Regal Maui Mall Megaplex 12. Plans to install the comfortable seating at Regal Dole Cannery Stadium are on hold, although the hope is the project can begin by the end of this year.

After earning his degree, Macon became a high-school teacher and then coach.

Several years ago, Macon’s brother-in-law’s construction company secured a contract with Muvico, which specialized in theme-based theaters. From there, the company wanted to expand to other entertainment-based projects. Macon, who initially wanted to study architecture at UH before the practice schedule got in the way, was recruited to join Aspen Builders Inc.

Macon is based in California, but he travels to different states to oversee projects. After all these years, Macon still wears a hard hat.


“Not the ones with bars in front,” Macon said. “I miss that. I miss the locker room. I miss the roar of the people in the stands.”


Back in the day, Johnny’s wife Paula, their infant daughter, sports writer Paul Arnett and I would would dodge fire ants while watching football practices from the grass hill. Johnny and Paula will be celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary this year, their daughter is now 23, and their son is a college freshman.

“I’m pretty blessed,” Macon said.

COMMENTS

  1. truegreen May 2, 2018 9:17 am

    Furst! Good to hear about Johnny. He was a loyal guy during a tough time in UH football. Nice to hear he’s doing well!


  2. islandman May 2, 2018 9:19 am

    Good story


  3. islandman May 2, 2018 9:23 am

    Macon played 1994-97, under Wagner and von Appen.


  4. isleboy May 2, 2018 9:33 am

    Barbers point Hawaii…Johnny Macon and fellow players laughing at Von Appen …..stuck in
    camera lift 50 feet above ground. Wind blowing…. Von Appen shouting….lift wont work….
    Magical moments in Rainbow Football history…..


  5. Da Punchbowlkid May 2, 2018 10:35 am

    Love to read stories like this about any former Warriors. Go Johnny, go!


  6. seewhy May 2, 2018 11:09 am

    Thanks for the great story, ST!


  7. A-House May 2, 2018 12:39 pm

    OK, ST, now I know who to blame for the most comfortable theater seats because I always fall asleep in all the movies — at Windward Mall or theaters at the Orleans Hotel & Casino

    thanks, Johnny for all the comfort!!!


  8. A-House May 2, 2018 12:43 pm

    Max Hendrie is on of my favorite players — hope he has an opportunity to make major contributions on defense — dang, 6′ 4″ @ 245-250 #s with speed — still got the 4.5 over 40 yds?

    spent most of last year on special teams

    would like to see Genta Ito contribute on the field as much as in the classroom


  9. A-House May 2, 2018 12:45 pm

    recruiting — last year, UH sent other sport coaches to Australia when UH played.

    any fruits of their effort?

    fellow worker signed up for the basketball trip this summer — any “shakings” that other sport coaches will go and recruit this year?


  10. A-House May 2, 2018 12:49 pm

    next year, men’s basketball team will have 3 very tall players at 6′ 11″ or taller

    UH has not been blessed with tall players except Tony, dang forgot his last name, who was inducted into the Hall of Honor recently — he demolished #3 Oregon or was it Oregon State in 1961 or ’62 in Klum Gym


  11. Na Alii Pride May 2, 2018 12:56 pm

    #10 I guesss you weren’t talking about Tony yMaroney? He was one of my favorite UH players of all time


  12. Abunai May 2, 2018 1:18 pm

    #10

    How about Troy Ostler. I thought he was pretty solid at 6’10”. Wish we had another Chris Gaines at UH again….


  13. Inyoface May 2, 2018 1:49 pm

    Erin “The Helicopter” Galloway was one of my favorite UH Bball player of all time.


  14. Abunai May 2, 2018 2:10 pm

    #13

    If you talking about dunking my list for Hawaii BB would be Justice Sueing, Aaron Valdez and Galloway.


  15. burro sabio May 2, 2018 4:06 pm

    Mr A-House means this guy

    http://hawaiiathletics.com/hof.aspx?hof=110


  16. NaKoaMike May 2, 2018 4:24 pm

    Photo gallery of the family fun zone at the spring game is now up:

    http://www.nakoa.org/portfolio/2018-spring-practice-family-fun-zone/

    Photos of the spring game and football alumni reception are coming soon.


  17. islandman May 2, 2018 4:37 pm

    10…. 6-10 Tony (Bones) Davis set the UH scoring record of 45 pts, in 1959. I think he played 1958-59 and 1959-60.
    http://hawaiiathletics.com/hof.aspx?hof=110


  18. kalua pig May 2, 2018 4:37 pm

    #14 abunai. your list is spot on.


  19. H-Man May 2, 2018 4:38 pm

    A-House, maybe you’re thinking of 7-0 Tommy Barker. He played under HC Bruce O’Neil. See this link for ’74-’75 roster: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/hawaii/1975.html
    Mel Werts was also on the team. I thought Mel Werts was the best to play center for Hawaii.


  20. islandman May 2, 2018 4:39 pm

    Oh, Burrio said that already.
    ——————————————————————————-
    Another player from the past is football player Skippy Dyer who should be in the Circle of Honor. He played 1955-1956.
    Was a two-way player that was on the UH team that upset Nebraska, 6-0 in 1955. Passed away in 2016.
    http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/10/07/sports/1928-2016-former-rainbow-skippy-dyer-followed-his-dreams/


  21. PONO May 2, 2018 8:04 pm

    Great story about Johnny Macon, glad to hear that former bows are doing well in life post-football.
    Justice Sueing is an all-time favorite. He was just so physical and athletically freakish.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn9I8VDYjtY


  22. burro sabio May 2, 2018 8:18 pm

    No worries Islandman, by the time Mr. A-House scrolls down to your post he might forget already, haha.


  23. A-House May 3, 2018 6:52 am

    burro:

    you posted the correct answer — it was Tony Davis who lived in our dorm!

    and no, eye stil got me senses –maybee

    enjoy retirement!!!!


  24. A-House May 3, 2018 6:57 am

    my most favoriate guard tandem was Alika Smith and AC Carter

    unfortunate that both got injured after their 11 – 0 start and beat #2 Kansas for the title AC hurt his back and Alika had a “turf toe” which was totally black and blue when we got autographs.


  25. Stephen Tsai May 3, 2018 7:39 am

    New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=45849


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