gold star for USAHOF

6. Jimmy Johnson

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6. Jimmy Johnson

How good an athletic family did Jimmy Johnson come from?  The Pro Football Hall of Famer was the brother of the 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist (Decathlon), Rafer Johnson.

 

Jimmy Johnson, who played his college ball at UCLA, did not have to travel far to join the Professional ranks as the San Francisco 49ers with the Sixth Overall Pick in 1961.  Johnson was incredibly versatile, though he was undoubtedly at his best at Cornerback, where he began as a rookie.  While he had five Interceptions as a rookie and was considered good, the Niners moved him to Flanker in 1962, where he played at one year with 627 Yards.  Johnson went to Safety in 1963 but went back to Corner, which was where he stayed for the rest of his professional career.

Johnson proved his worth in the Secondary throughout the 1960s, but it was not until 1969 where he turned heads.  From 1969 to 1972, Johnson was both a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro Selection, with his Approximate Value never going below 14 in those seasons.  During this time, Johnson was in the conversation as the best Defensive Back in Football, and many thought he was.

Johnson played until 1976, never leaving San Francisco. He would go to his fifth Pro Bowl in 1974, and he retired with 47 Interceptions.

The star Cornerback entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994, and he was also named to the 1970s All-Decade Team.  The 49ers retired his no.37 in 1977, and when they opened a franchise Hall of Fame in 2009, Johnson was part of that group.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Defensive Back
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 6th Overall in the NFL Draft 12/27/60.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1976 Season.
  • Games Played: 213
  • Notable Statistics:

    205 Games Started
    47 Interceptions
    615 Interception Return Yards
    2 Interception Return Touchdowns
    7 Fumble Recoveries
    31 Fumble Recovery Yards
    40 Receptions
    690 Receiving Yards
    4 Receiving Touchdowns
    146 Approximate Value

    5 Playoff Games

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    First Team All-Pro (1969, 1970, 1971 & 1972)
    Second Team All-Pro (1965 & 1966)
    Pro Bowl (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 & 1974)

Last modified on Sunday, 11 September 2022 04:48

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