Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. For thirteen seasons (1953 to 1966), he played as a fullback, halfback and defensive back in the National and American Football Leagues with the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers. Raised in California, he attended Pittsburg High School (where he excelled in football, basketball, high jumping, hurdles, shot put and discus) and St. Mary's College before transferring to Arizona State University where he continued his collegiate football career. He was selected by Pittsburgh during the 2nd round of the 1953 NFL Draft, but began his career in Canada with the Calgary Stampeders. After joining the 49ers during 1954, Johnson earned Pro Bowl honors in his first season, and along with Hugh McElhenny and Joe Perry, quarterbacked by Y.A. Tittle, he formed the highly successful ground attack nicknamed the "Million Dollar Backfield." Johnson experienced a world championship with Detroit in 1957 and contributed 40 rushing yards as the Lions defeated Cleveland 59 to 14 in the NFL Championship Game. While with Pittsburgh, he achieved Pro Bowl status three consecutive times (1962 to 1964), led the league with an 87-yard rushing gain from scrimmage in 1960 and exceeded 1,000 yards rushing twice (1962 with 1,141 and 1964 with 1,048). In 143 career NFL and AFL games, he compiled 6,803 rushing yards with 48 touchdowns. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. For thirteen seasons (1953 to 1966), he played as a fullback, halfback and defensive back in the National and American Football Leagues with the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers. Raised in California, he attended Pittsburg High School (where he excelled in football, basketball, high jumping, hurdles, shot put and discus) and St. Mary's College before transferring to Arizona State University where he continued his collegiate football career. He was selected by Pittsburgh during the 2nd round of the 1953 NFL Draft, but began his career in Canada with the Calgary Stampeders. After joining the 49ers during 1954, Johnson earned Pro Bowl honors in his first season, and along with Hugh McElhenny and Joe Perry, quarterbacked by Y.A. Tittle, he formed the highly successful ground attack nicknamed the "Million Dollar Backfield." Johnson experienced a world championship with Detroit in 1957 and contributed 40 rushing yards as the Lions defeated Cleveland 59 to 14 in the NFL Championship Game. While with Pittsburgh, he achieved Pro Bowl status three consecutive times (1962 to 1964), led the league with an 87-yard rushing gain from scrimmage in 1960 and exceeded 1,000 yards rushing twice (1962 with 1,141 and 1964 with 1,048). In 143 career NFL and AFL games, he compiled 6,803 rushing yards with 48 touchdowns. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Bio by: C.S.
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