Johnny Knoxville has been catapulted in every way imaginable, but the launch of his campaign to support local students may have the most lasting impact after unveiling of a brand-new weight room at South Doyle High School.
Johnny returned July 31 to Knoxville and visited South-Doyle, the school where he cut his teeth as a ballplayer before breaking them as one of the world’s most recognized stuntmen.
“Knoxville really stepped up,” the “Jackass” co-creator said at Friday's unveiling. “I’m just really humbled.”
Students, parents, educators and community members showed up to meet the Scruffy City native and to see the new facility. Even Johnny's childhood baseball coach, Mike Capps, was in attendance.
"Helping out a school in South Knoxville," Johnny
told Knox News earlier this year, "is the top of the list."
'Knoxville Strong' campaign made weight room possible
Johnny announced a partnership with exercise equipment company Sorinex earlier this year, pledging to help upgrade the schools nearly 30-year-old weight room.
Johnny is an alum of South-Young High School before it merged with Doyle High School in the early '90s.
Proceeds from "Knoxville Strong" T-shirt and sweatshirt collection sales went toward the new state-of-the-art facility to be used by all South-Doyle students.
"We raised a lot of money by selling shirts, and well over half of the money came from Knoxville taking care of their own," Johnny said.
Johnny Knoxville: 'South Knoxville is home'
With the school's weight room in need of an upgrade, Athletics Director Randy Moore made the ask of his childhood friend-turned-celebrity. The two hung out at the same boys club back in the day.
Johnny was visibly emotional when he saw the updated room for the first time July 31, pointing out all the upgraded equipment and the fresh coat of paint on the walls.
Though he's been in Hollywood for decades now, Johnny said he has never forgotten his roots.
"South Knoxville is home. It's where I was born and raised. So many people that meant so much in my life are still here," he said. "I just can't tell you how special this is for me to come back today."
Johnny has hinted his support for the school won't end here. He told Knox News earlier this year "there's a couple of other things I have up my sleeve to try and help South-Doyle," including the possibility of a new scoreboard.
"It's a great day for me, South-Doyle and Knoxville," Johnny said.
Caitlyn Meisner is the K-12 education reporter for Knox News. Email tips and story ideas to caitlyn.meisner@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Johnny Knoxville visits South-Doyle to unveil weight room he made possible
