For most of his career, Johnny Buchanan has avoided the spotlight.

A private person who prefers to keep his personal life to himself, Buchanan has spent decades serving his community, often working behind the scenes to restore power and help customers when they need it most. Recognition has never been his goal.

“Johnny was never a ‘look at me’ person. He just does his job. He does it consistently,” said Robert Bell, Buchanan’s former supervisor for four years in Entergy Mississippi’s Grenada network. Buchanan now serves in the Jackson network. “He’s always there when you need him. Even if he’s two hours away, he’s coming.”

That dedication has earned Buchanan the kind of recognition he never sought.

On Nov. 15, he will be honored as Entergy’s Lineman of the Game before the New Orleans Saints take the field against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome. Buchanan will officially kick off the game with a flip of the switch to light up the stadium. It was Bell who nominated Buchanan for the prestigious recognition, making the announcement completely unexpected.

“My supervisor told me, and I was like, ‘How did that happen?'” Buchanan said with a laugh. “But I had a 100 percent callout rate, so I guess that’s why they rewarded me because I never missed a call.”

For Buchanan, answering the call is about more than responding to an outage. It is the first step toward restoring comfort and peace of mind for customers. That’s why he approaches every assignment with urgency, professionalism and a commitment to safety.

“You treat people like you want to be treated,” he said. “It feels good knowing that I can help. People are so appreciative.”

While Buchanan has spent countless hours helping others, being recognized in front of thousands of football fans is a new experience.

Buchanan, a single father of one adult son is looking forward to seeing the Saints play in the Dome.

“I am just going to sit back and enjoy the game,” he said. “Try to enjoy myself.”

Though the award recognizes one outstanding lineman, those who know Buchanan best say his true reward has never been public recognition. Instead, it has always been answering the call and making a difference for the people who depend on him.