by Tessa Martyn
The Chicago Union is proud to partner with Meez Meals, a Chicago-based home meal provider, with this great opportunity to GET TO KNOW the players on the team… while cooking!
Q & A with Jesse Johnson
Q: How and when did you get started playing Ultimate?
A: I started playing Ultimate in High School after finding out about it through a church group event. It was not until college that I found out that you could play a little bit more competitively and that is what I tried to pursue in college.
Q: What has been the highlight of your Ultimate career to date?
A: Definitely has to be last year against the Indianapolis AlleyCats because my whole family including my seven siblings were in attendance to see my huge block against one of their offensive players and to see me get a bookend score. I was pretty excited about that! To be able to do that in front of my whole family was definitely one of the biggest highlights!
Q: What do you like best about the Chicago Union and AUDL?
A: My favorite part about the Chicago Union are the friendships that I have built and the community within Chicago which has been really inviting and very welcoming. I started off on the team when I was 20 years old and they kind of took me under their wing and really showed me the ropes of how to play competitive Ultimate. So by far, just the people that I have gotten to play with over the last few years. In terms of the AUDL, definitely just playing in front of the fans and having the excitement of playing on a bigger field, etc.and just being able to play fast-paced Ultimate. It’s been really fun to be a part of that!
Q: What are you looking forward to the most this season?
A: Definitely playing in front of some Chicago fans this season. It is really exciting that we are at a new stadium, De LaSalle and I love the fact that I can commute on the red line straight to practice or games.
Q: What do you like to do outside of playing Ultimate?
A: By far, working out and cycling or spending time with my wonderful girlfriend! I also love watching TV, especially right now with the new season of Stranger Things out.
Q: What is one interesting fact about you?
A: I already kind of mentioned it but I grew up in a big family so it has been real fun to try and invite my family and get them to come out to games. It is super fun to be able to play in front of them. It is a dream come true to be honest!
Q: Describe Meez Meals postgame cooking experience? What did you make? What did you like best about it?
A: It was awesome! It was super fun to have this meal delivered to me with all the ingredients and instructions. They were super easy to understand and it was delicious! I made the Sweet and Spicy Brazilian Chicken and it was delicious! I am really impressed with how easy everything was and that everything was already provided and all I needed to do was follow the step-by-step instructions. It was pretty fun to buy and hopefully I can get some more Meez Meals soon!
Union fans can get Meez Meals, Chicago’s #1 rated dinner meal kits, delivered directly to their doorstep - use the code UNION to get 50% off your first order!
