

In the latter half of January, the USC long jumper, Johnny Brackin, was awarded the Big Ten Co-Track Athlete of the Week for his men’s 60m hurdles win with a personal-best, NCAA-leading and school-record time of 7.49 at the Spokane Sports Showcase on January 17. With this, he became the first Trojan track and field athlete to earn a Big Ten weekly honor. Other than this, he’s also been in the top 8 at the World U20 Championships, and behind all these achievements has been his parents’ hard work and support.
A son to Johnny Brackins Sr. and Pamela Smiley, the 2003-born, celebrates his birthday on July 29. His athletic career is quite decorated for his age, with one National Indoor championship title and a bronze at the World U20 Championships, and as much as he is to thank himself for this, his parents have done a lot of work as well. Why, you ask? Well, number 1- genetics, and number 2, as Brackin himself says, “both of them were involved in it(his training). ” Let’s understand who Johnny Brackins Sr. and Pamela Smiley are.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Who is Johnny Brackin’s father?
Interestingly, it is not just the name that the father-son duo share, but the love for athletics as well. As the USC senior tells in the ‘Getting To Know Johnny Brackins Jr.’ interview with the university, “my dad was a collegiate athlete at KU“; yes, Johnny Brackin’s senior was an athlete at the University of Kansas and not just any athlete, he even competed in the US Olympic trials. His love for sports did not just end there, he went on to serve as an assistant track coach at Lee’s Summit High School, the same school his son studied in.
If we are to thank someone for Johnny Brackin Jr. being a long jumper, it has to be Johnny Brackin Sr. as in his words, “my dad persuaded me into jumps, which I thank him for”. The World U20 Championships bronze medalist knew who his father used to be. And he knew better than to not to take his advice; he said, “it was only right that I tried out the events he recommended and now I’m consistently excelling in them with him as my coach.” Apart from coaching his son, the senior Brackin also shares updates and support for his son’s career through his Twitter.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Who is Johnny Brackin’s mother?
Johnny Brackin’s mother is Pamela Smiley, who, as her husband and son, shares a love for athletics. In Brackin’s won’s words, “my mom was big in track and field in high school.” She didn’t go to college, though. When we thank the Brackin senior for molding his son into a man who can jump rivers, we must not forget who laid the foundation for it all: Pamela was Brackin’s jr. introduction to the sport.
The USC senior says, “My mom had a large influence on my start with track and field when she introduced me to the sports, registering me in AAU track and field when I was 8 and being my sprint coach for my first few years.” Not only did she introduce her son to the sport, but also made sure he was into it, registering and coaching him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What’s your perspective on:
Is Johnny Brackin Jr.'s success more about talent or the relentless support from his athletic parents?
Have an interesting take?
What is Johnny Brackin’s parents’ nationality?
Junior Brackin grew up in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, a suburb of the Kansas City metropolitan area, and most probably, that’s where his parents live. Other than that, there’s no public information about where the two were born and raised, hence we aren’t to be sure of their nationality.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Debate
Is Johnny Brackin Jr.'s success more about talent or the relentless support from his athletic parents?