In a poignant moment during the sixth season of the acclaimed football drama All American, viewers were treated to a tribute screen honoring DuJuan Johnson. This tribute sparked curiosity among many about who Johnson was and his connection to the show. The series, itself inspired by real NFL player Spencer Paysinger, chronicles the journey of a high school football prodigy from South Los Angeles who is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High. Although Paysinger’s story serves as a backdrop, the character Spencer James, portrayed by Daniel Ezra, is a fictionalized version of the athlete’s life.
While All American does not strictly adhere to Paysinger’s true story, it did feature a heartfelt tribute in Season 6, Episode 2, titled “Public Service Announcement.”This episode portrays the tension of game day as Spencer deals with intense pressure. The tribute, however, provided a touching moment for the cast and crew to honor Johnson’s memory, allowing his friends and family to reflect on his significant impact.
DuJuan Johnson’s Role in All American
Tributes from Friends in the Industry
While DuJuan Johnson’s contributions to All American might not be listed on his IMDb profile, his impact on the series was nonetheless significant. Dan Ringey, the first assistant director on Ozark, took to Instagram to share his memories of Johnson, whom he met during their college years studying filmmaking. Ringey noted that Johnson’s extensive work often went beyond what was documented online.
“We must have worked together on 20+ projects of all sizes before he worked his way into the locations department. He really found something he loved and where he felt comfortable. In the last few years, he built himself a serious career working on some of the biggest movies and TV shows. DuJuan in school would have been so proud of himself. I know I was so proud of him.”
A location scout’s responsibilities include scouting locations for filming, negotiating contracts, and securing necessary permits to ensure a smooth production process. Though the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s passing remain unclear, the tribute from All American underscores the profound impression he left on those around him.
More Tributes from All American
Honoring Kamar De Los Reyes
DuJuan Johnson is not the only individual to receive a tribute from All American. In the same season, the series commemorated Kamar De Los Reyes, a well-known actor on the show. De Los Reyes, who portrayed Coach Montes, was honored with a heartfelt tribute during the episode titled “Mass Appeal.”This episode marked a significant moment, acknowledging Montes’ transition to the NFL and the lasting legacy De Los Reyes left behind.
The emotional tribute culminated in a title card reading: “In Loving Memory Kamar De Los Reyes, 1967-2023.” Tragically, De Los Reyes passed away on Christmas Eve 2023, following a brief and intense battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Sherri Saum, and their twin children.
Cody Christian, who plays Asher Adams on All American, reflected on his bond with De Los Reyes, highlighting their moments spent together both on and off set: Entertainment Weekly reported:
“We would shoot all day and then spend a couple of hours after shooting, just talking and catching up on life. I relied on him a lot. Just to have the opportunity to go in and work with him within those circumstances, to give him the respect and flowers he deserved, was a moment I’ll never forget.”
Nkechi Okoro Carroll, the showrunner of All American, expressed her grief over De Los Reyes’ passing. “He was such a beloved member of our All American family,”she noted in a statement to Deadline. “He brought so much love, light, and joy to the set every day, even during his final days. We are so grateful for every moment he spent with us.”Recently, De Los Reyes made a posthumous appearance in Daredevil: Born Again as White Tiger.