Cornelius Johnson (offensive lineman) facts for kids

Cornelius Otis Johnson (June 12, 1943 – July 11, 2017) was an American football player. He was an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Baltimore Colts for six seasons. Johnson was picked by the Colts in the 1967 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Union University. He also went to Richmond High School in Richmond, Virginia. Cornelius Johnson was part of the Colts team that won Super Bowl V. He also played for the Harrisburg Capitols and The Hawaiians.

Playing Professional Football

Cornelius Johnson was chosen by the Baltimore Colts. This happened during the 1967 NFL Draft. He was the 204th player picked overall. Johnson played in 74 games for the Colts. He started seven of those games. His time with the Colts was from 1967 to 1973.

Playing for the Harrisburg Capitols

In 1967, Johnson also played for the Harrisburg Capitols. This team was in the Atlantic Coast Football League. The Capitols were like a practice team for the Baltimore Colts. They helped players get ready for the NFL.

Winning the Super Bowl

A big moment for Johnson was winning Super Bowl V. The Baltimore Colts played against the Dallas Cowboys. The Colts won the championship on January 17, 1971. This was a major achievement in his career.

Playing for The Hawaiians

After his time in the NFL, Johnson played in the World Football League. He joined a team called The Hawaiians. He played 19 games for them. This was during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.

Cornelius Johnson's Life Off the Field

Cornelius Johnson faced some health challenges later in life. He needed to have part of his lower right leg removed. This was due to complications from health issues. He also had challenges with his eyesight. He lost vision in his right eye and had limited vision in his left. This was after he had a stroke.

Despite these challenges, Johnson lived an active life. He and his wife once owned a helicopter business. This business was located in Hawaii. Later, Johnson moved to Prescott, Arizona. Starting in the late 1990s, he became a mentor. He helped young student athletes in the area. Cornelius Johnson passed away on July 11, 2017.