THOMASVILLE — One is a Super Bowl champion. The other is the team chaplain for the University of Georgia football team.

Together, they were the guest speakers at Thursday night’s South Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes spring banquet at Thomas County Middle School.

NFL quarterback Brad Johnson and Kevin Hynes, brothers-in-law to Georgia football coach Mark Richt, talked about the importance of FCA and the impact it has had on their lives.

“I grew up going to FCA,” Johnson said.

“I hang out and love people,” said Hynes, who, during the college football season, holds devotions with the Bulldogs football team on Friday nights and Saturdays before games. “God uses people you never think he uses.”

Johnson recently underwent a major career move, signing a three-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. The former Minnesota Viking signal-caller will serve as a mentor to Dallas’ young quarterback Tony Romo. Johnson welcomed the opportunity to continue his football career.

“I love it, it’s a chance to keep on playing,” Johnson said.

The 38-year-old, who will be entering his 16th season in the NFL, has shown no signs of slowing down.

“I just enjoy it,” he said. “I really don’t think about time.”

Johnson, who played at Florida State from 1987-91, has played with the Minnesota Vikings twice, the Washington Redskins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2003, Johnson and the Buccaneers were crowned Super Bowl champs. It’s an experience that still captivates the NFL veteran.

“You can’t explain it,” Johnson said. “When you win it, you realize how many people have affected your life from high school teachers to coaches to people keeping up with you and pulling for you.”

Johnson’s new team could have Super Bowl aspirations in the near future. The Cowboys lost in the first round of the NFC playoffs last year to the Seattle Seahawks, the last game for outgoing coach Bill Parcells. The Cowboys hired Wade Phillips as his replacement.

Johnson has had experience playing against Phillips’ 3-4 defense, when he was an assistant with the Atlanta Falcons and Johnson was with the Buccaneers. With Phillips at the helm leading the defense, and an explosive offense rturning Romo, Julius Jones and Terrell Owens, the Cowboys have the resources to challenge in the NFL.

“You never know from year to year,” Johnson said. “It’s a new beginning. It’s an exciting time. There’s a lot of talent there.

“As long as I can play, I’ll keep on playing.”