The workweek grind is coming to a close, but Justin Padron is just revving up. It’s a fall Friday night and the tinted windows of his all-black Ford truck are rolled down while his focus is laser sharp. His body tingles as he nears Dragon Stadium well before it transforms into a sea of green. Memories of his time as a Carroll Dragon flood his conscience.
It wasn’t too long ago the first team all-state select, District Defensive MVP and the Defensive MVP of the state title game (’06), Padron, was outfitted in jersey #44 as inside linebacker alongside Southlake Carroll greats such as Chase Daniel, Greg McElroy and Riley Dodge.
But this time, Padron isn’t returning to defend another state championship. He’s returning for his second season in the sportscast booth with Chuck Kelly as a fresh, yet experienced voice on the Dragon Radio Broadcast Network. The move to the booth he says has been entirely God-ordained. The position came available when longtime analyst Kelly Milligan stepped down after the ’17 season.
Without a single drop of communications experience, and with a divine offer just being placed on their San Antonio home two days prior, Padron was perfectly primed for Chuck Kelly’s unexpected call last May.
“Is there any way,” Kelly asked Padron unknowing of their plans to move back home, “that you’ll be back in the Metroplex by the time football season rolls around?”
A stunned Padron answered, “I’ll be home in 25 days.” It was at that moment that Kelly asked Padron if he would consider becoming the radio analyst on the renowned Carroll broadcast, which was about to enter its 16th season on air.
“Justin was my first and only choice,” Kelly says. “It took me about five seconds to think of him after [Milligan] stepped aside. I wanted a fresh, young voice with all the enthusiasm and desire for excellence that the rest of our team has in the booth. Being a former Dragon superstar, and as beloved as Justin was as a player, it was a no-brainer.”
It was a big decision for a broadcast that’s generally considered to be the tops in the field. “Losing [Milligan] was tough because we’d worked together for over a decade,” Kelly says. “We were like an old married couple, and we worked so well together. There was a high bar in place. But Justin was the greatest find I could’ve hoped for to fill those shoes.”
While Padron was honored by Kelly’s request, he wouldn’t have entered the booth for just anybody. It was newly named head coach Riley Dodge who solidified his ultimate decision to join the team.
“I was pumped to enter the booth not only because I love the game of football, but because of our strong connection and friendship with the new head coach,” says Padron of his longtime friend Riley Dodge. “With Dodge as head coach,” Padron continued, “I knew our pairing would make me an even better analyst.”
Dodge and Padron formed a unique bond a decade ago not only as teammates for both the Dragons and Mean Green football teams but also as prayer partners. This Carroll tradition, for those who choose to participate, gives players the opportunity to partner up as they run out of the fieldhouse, through the Dragon tunnel and onto the field under the Friday Night Lights.
“Just reminiscing about the memories and three years of praying with Justin [Padron] on the field gives me the chills,” recalls Dodge.
Dodge continued, “Justin has always been an amazing leader of men. People follow him because he leads by example and holds himself accountable for everything he does. People are inspired by him.”
These qualities are directly attributed to the power and magic that emerge from being a part of the Dragon program.
“I’ve taken so many lessons from football and implemented them into my day to day. It’s these lessons that have gotten me to where I am today. I have strong Dragon pride and how it has changed my life,” says Padron.
Knowing the power of the program motivates Padron to move outside of his comfort zone and into his new journey as a radio broadcaster. For Dodge, he’s certainly enjoying the camaraderie Padron’s newest adventure is bringing to the Dragon organization.
Dodge appreciates “having a dear friend up in the booth to treat us right” and “to treat the kids right,” Dodge says of Padron. He knows what is going on not only from the football perspective but also because he’s worn that jersey and knows what they are going through, Dodge adds.
“He knows all of the rites of passage. He is a great fit.”
With a strong love for the game itself, Padron’s keen interest and passion for the schematics of the game, combined with his very own Carroll Dragon state championship title rings, it’s no doubt that Padron is the perfect fit for Kelly’s newly opened role. A role that Padron takes very seriously.
During the week prior to each game, Padron spends hours researching the opponents’ players, learning about their plays and studying video tape for both the Dragons and their opponent. While he just can’t hide his Dragon ties (once a Dragon, always a Dragon), Padron is dedicated to delivering a broadcast that successfully paints a picture of the game for those who are not in attendance.
It’s not just the game that Padron has in mind either: It’s the players and their families. He knows what it is like to play on that field, and he has a strong belief to radiate positivity and encouragement through his voice on the other side of the field.
“I try to have a positive approach on air and remember that these are kids. They don’t get paid millions of dollars, and each player is doing his exact best,” Padron says. “Their parents and grandparents are listening sometimes, too, and I always want to be cognizant of that in the words I use.”
While Padron’s inexperience in the booth may have been an interesting choice for Kelly, Padron’s excellence on the field speaks volumes.
After playing under Todd Dodge for four years, Padron continued football at the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University. Years of playing as a Type 1 diabetic slowly began to take aim at his collegiate football career. Even with proper management of his diabetes, Padron struggled to maintain the energy to fully balance the rigor of college courses alongside the heavy physical demands of football. After much consideration, he decided to hang up his jersey and focus on schooling.
In 2012, Padron graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. He followed his passion for finance, becoming a financial advisor after graduation, and eventually decided to use his financial advising skills in the real estate world as a loan officer Padron’s career took both him and his soon-to-be-wife, Erin, to San Antonio. Padron shares that from the moment he met her, he knew he was going to marry her.
Three years after their wedding, the Padrons found out they were going to be parents and decided to bring their family back to North Texas, where both he and his wife call home. Now, over a decade later, Padron has found his Friday nights feeling like he’s back on the field again.
He will never forget his most memorable high school football moment in November of 2006. The day after Thanksgiving. 50,000 fans. Up against the Trinity Trojans, Southlake’s most respected rival.
“Riley getting that ball back with a minute and 30 seconds left,” Padron says, still filled with excitement, “and turning around to score a touchdown that put us up by one point was absolutely amazing.”
“Yes, the state championships are great, but the memories are all within the game,” Padron continues.
And when asked what Padron sees his life like at his 20-year reunion? He smiles big, and says, “back living in Southlake, my little boy on the sidelines and me calling another Dragon state title from the booth.”