Athlete of the Week: Dominique Johnson-Floyd

Since she was 6 years old, Dominique Johnson-Floyd has watched her brother Jaden Floyd play football at West Orange High and now at Florida State University. Now as a freshman at Horizon, Johnson-Floyd plays running back, wide receiver and kicker for the flag football team. She grabbed four interceptions against the Lake Buena Vista Vipers March 21.  On March 25, she caught a 40-yard touchdown to tie the game with less than a minute left and added another catch for the conversion and the 7-6 win over West Orange.

What got you into flag football?
A lot of it was my brother, because he was the star of West Orange. He was known and popular for football, and then he started to get offers and everything. It wasn’t only about sports. He also did plays and always helped other people out. But I just always loved football ever since I was 6. I grew up with football. 

When did you start playing football?
On an actual team, this year. But I’ve known how to throw a football since I was 7.

What do you love about the sport? 
I really like getting interceptions and basically having opportunities so I can make a big play.  

What’s the best thing about your team this year? 
Seeing improvement. Our first game, everyone was worried, but once we were on the field and got the game over with and were back on the bus, everyone was so happy. It was a pre-season game, and even though we lost that game, everyone was so happy. We were all cheering each other on. 

What’s your favorite movie?
“A Dog’s Purpose.” I love dogs so much. It was such a good movie. It was good, because it was not just based on one dog; it was multiple dogs’ lives. 

What Netflix series are you binge-watching right now? 
I don’t really watch Netflix. I just watch anything on YouTube. 

Favorite hobby?
Playing sports, drawing, playing with clay. 

If you had a superpower, which one would it be? 
Probably teleporting to other places or flying. 

Favorite food or dessert? 
French fries.

What’s a fun thing about being the running back, wide receiver and the kicker in the flag football?
Normally, we have this one play where we have two running backs, and it’s me and my friend, and we made a handshake to hype each other up. I actually have a touchdown from being a running back on a running back play; it was really good. We do (the handshake) before we get in the play. Sometimes, we change it up, so the other team doesn’t know what we are doing. 

Compare playing defense and offense. Which do you like/enjoy the most? 
I think offense, but then defense is really good, too. My coach always says that defense is what’s going to win you the game. Like, on defense, you can have an interception and then score or stop the ball. I really like offense, too. 

What’s your favorite class this year? 
Basketball and ceramics. Because (ceramics class is) a time where you can be free and have your own time, I can use my hands and do my own thing. (And) in basketball, I can play around with friends and also play basketball. 

What type of music do you like listening to? 
Rap or pop. 

What’s your favorite thing your team does during practice? 
Whenever we do scrimmages and we go against each other, that is really fun. 

Does the team have any rituals to do either before or after a game? 
Yes. So, basically Coach Ethan Mankoff will say, “Fly,” then we say, “High,” and we do that two more times before he says, “Hawks,” and we end with, “Let’s go!” So we get everyone hyped, and then we go into the field.

If you were on a deserted island, what three things would you have with you?
My phone, a friend so I am not alone and maybe some survival tools to chop down a tree or something. 

Best vacation place you’ve visited? 
St. Thomas or Aruba.