Doug was a leader, mentor and friend to many throughout KYFL. Our organization wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for the commitment and dedication of Doug throughout the past 12 years. We ask that everyone keep his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers.

Douglas Johnson, age 49, died tragically Friday, May 5, 2023. He leaves a family and a community of friends in grief, but also a lifetime of memories to cherish.

He was born January 20, 1974, in Geneva, IL, to loving parents, Gary and Rita Johnson.

Doug grew up in Maple Park, IL, and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1992. While roaming the halls of Kaneland, he may have been a part of various “alleged” mischief, but excelled in music, madrigals, was the manager for the girls’ volleyball team and was voted most likely to be a “rock star”. He was also known for rocking his Z Cavaricci (in every color), wore his mullet with pride, and was more than generous with his cologne, sometimes “eye watering generous”. Doug may not have had his name in lights, but he was the star attraction for his family and friends.

He was united in marriage to Nicole O’Connor in 2001. They were blessed with four children: Nicholas, Evan, Olivia and Ryan. Although Doug and Nicole would eventually take different paths, the children never left their hearts and remain as a testament to the love and devotion they once had.

Doug believed in hard work and lived by the mantra, if you are not 15 minutes early, you are late. He flourished in the trades beginning in 1998, cementing his proud blue-collar status as a plumber for many years. Hard jobs never made him flinch and the easy ones, well they received that same dedication and intensity, so that no matter big or small, each job was done and done right. He never called in sick because he never got sick. For Doug it was mind over matter; rub some dirt on it, walk it off, you’ll be fine. His dedication to his craft was evident to his mother and father-in-law, Steven and Joan O’Connor, as well as to his brother and sister-in-law Kara and Jason Pozzi as he pledged countless hours to their company, OPI.

He was a proud member of the Plumbers Union, Local 130.

Doug was the first to stop and help anyone in need, wore his heart on his sleeve, and made everyone around him feel safe because he always, always, always had your back. He found friends around every corner of every street and many times in other countries. If he didn’t make you his friend and make you laugh till it hurt by the end of the hour, he wasn’t doing his job. R.J. inherited some quick wit, a fast smile and an easy laugh that was quintessential Doug and will be sure to hone it as the years go by. Firm handshakes and eye contact was a rule, as was his honesty…whether you liked it or not. Doug excelled in nearly everything he did, from skateboarding, roller skating, motorcycles (big and small), not to mention skiing with his kids, he was at the top of his class. Even in the kitchen, he made the most of his talent, making brownies with his daughter Olivia, the famous “sauce”, “Bud’s Mess” and even took over in other kitchens as well. At the age of five, Doug talked himself into the kitchen of the Kountry Kettle just so he could crack his own eggs. If the question was sweets or any sugary concoction, Doug’s answer was always “Yes!”. His passion for music (and gift of gab) was passed down to his children. You could play almost any song in any genre, and he could give you a dissertation on it history and relevance. Pink Floyd and Rush were at the top of his list, but all awesome music, regardless of genre, was welcome. Never shy of the limelight, Doug was front and center dancing like no one was watching (though everyone was) when he put aside his pride and danced with the other dads at Olivia’s annual dance recital, in the infamous “Dad’s Dance”. He was notorious for wild parties whose statute of limitations may not have passed so no more details will be shared here. Lodge Club was an excuse to hang out with his friends, challenge others to cutthroat games of ping pong, pool, darts and more. When he wasn’t hard at work, you could count on him to be not only at his children’s games but coaching them as well. He was a consummate t-ball, baseball and football coach, the latter garnering him with the honor of being the longest standing volunteer and board member of the KYFL (Kaneland Youth Football League). His love for the Chicago Bears knew no equal, as was his disdain and hatred for Green Bay. His son Evan loves the Packers, so the intensity of their rivalry reigned supreme every season. Only one thing rose above it all, and that was his family. He never missed a chance to experience life with them, side by side. Most recently, strong “proud dad vibes” emanated from Doug like rays from the sun whenever he spoke about Nicholas attending Loyola University in the fall. Those memories, big and small, loom large now in his absence. As the echo of his laughter fades into memory and his smile immortalized in countless pictures; his unfathomable loss is keenly felt by everyone who knew him.

He leaves the best people in his life, his four children: Nicholas Steven, Evan Douglas, Olivia Marie and Ryan Alexander Johnson; their mother Nicole Johnson; his parents, Gary and Rita Johnson; a sister, Dawn Weber, one brother and several other “brothers” including Jim Weber; his in-laws (who throughout never thought of him as an “outlaw”) Steven and Joan O’Connor; sister-in-law, Kara (Jason) Pozzi; and countless friends the world over.

He now is reunited with his beloved niece, Lexi Weber who was the apple of his eye; paternal grandparents, Margaret and Marvin Johnson and maternal grandparents Florence and Oswald Olesen who preceded him in death.

Don’t forget to sign up for our Spring Football Skills and Drills camp! This camp is super popular and has sold out the last two years so don’t delay!

New and returning tackle football players entering K-8th grades in the Fall 2023-2024 school year are invited to our Spring Skills and Drills Football Camp! Players will rotate between stations to work on handwork, footwork, passing and catching, blocking, and more! Stations and objectives will change each week to build upon skills and development.

Dates: Monday April 17, Monday April 24, Monday May 1, and Monday May 8

Time: 6:00-8:00pm

Location: Go For It Sports Dome in Yorkville

Cost: $20/week – sign up for just 1 night or all 4! All participating Players will receive a Water Bottle!

Click here to register today! 

Featherweight coach Rich Zwick was awarded the TCYFL Legacy award by TCYFL President Geoff Meyer at the annual Presidents meeting.   The award recognizes coaches who exemplify great leadership, commitment, sportsmanship and overall achievement.  During the 2022 Featherweight SuperBowl, Rich and his team showed great sportsmanship  with the Huntley team .  Both teams had battled during the season and continued into an overtime battle for the Super Bowl championship. After the game the kids and coaches celebrated a great game together with congratulations all around and even posed to take pictures together with their trophies.  KYFL is proud of Rich and his efforts coaching the kids  and representing the KYFL organization.  

New this year to KYFL we are adding a Super-Rec squad to our fall cheer program. You will need to be in middle school for the 23-24 school year.

Tryouts will be held March 14 & 16 at the Maple Park Civic Center.  you must register for tryouts here: https://kyfl.sportngin.com/register/form/585299623

Please reach out to Jessica Lilliebridge CheerDirector@kyfl.com with any questions or follow the link with info for how to sign up!

On February 1st the 2023 registration opened up.  For the upcoming season, KYFL has decided to not raise prices for this year for Tackle Football and kept the registration cost to $435. Cheer is also staying the same price as last year for the Sideline ($250) and Sideline Plus ($450).  

We also are offering an extended payment plan that will allow the payment to be split in up to 5 separate payments between February and June.

Registration will open for tackle and cheer on February 1, 2023.  KYFL will also be offering their payment plan to allow payments over a couple months.  More details to come in next two weeks...

The Kaneland Youth Football League will be participating in the TCYFL Spring 7 on 7 Touch Football League this year.  This program is for kids Kindergarten thru 7th grades and provides an opportunity for everyone to develop their speed, agility, and football skills and helps to improve both pass offense and pass defense.  It does not matter if your player is usually a lineman, this is a passing league and has everyone going out for passes and covering receivers.  Previous experience playing football is not required and this will give everyone an opportunity to learn without contact.  Practices will start the week of March 13th with practice location TBD.  All games will be played at Huntley HS, Schaumburg HS, and Mount Carmel HS.  Register today!  Please contact KYFL with any questions.

Register Here

• July 17 - 2023 Season Practice Starts - Conditioning Only
• July 31 - 2023 Season Full Contact / Full Pads Start
• August 26 & 27 - TCYFL Opening Weekend 2023
• November 11 & 12 - TCFYL Championship Weekend