Gary "Big Hands" Johnson facts for kids
Johnson with the Chargers c. 1982
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| No. 72, 79, 97 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | August 31, 1952 Shreveport, Louisiana |
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| Died: | August 4, 2010 (aged 57) Shreveport, Louisiana |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 257 lb (117 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Mitchell (Bossier City, Louisiana) | ||||||||||||||
| College: | Grambling State (1971–1974) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1975 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Gary Lynn "Big Hands" Johnson (born August 31, 1952 – died August 4, 2010) was an amazing American football player. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was known for his strength and skill on the field.
Johnson was chosen for the All-Pro team four times. He also played in the Pro Bowl four times. Most of his NFL career was with the San Diego Chargers. Because of his great play, he was added to the Chargers Hall of Fame.
Before joining the NFL, Johnson played college football for the Grambling State Tigers. He was a top college player, earning "Little All-American" honors three times. The Chargers picked him early in the 1975 NFL Draft. He quickly showed his talent and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in his first year.
The Chargers had a very strong defense in the early 1980s. They led the league in sacks in 1980, thanks to players like Johnson. He set a team record with 17.5 sacks that year. Later in his career, Johnson joined the San Francisco 49ers. He helped them win a Super Bowl in 1984. He retired from football after the 1985 season.
Johnson is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He is in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame too. Both the Chargers' 40th and 50th anniversary teams include him.
Early Life and Nickname
Gary Johnson was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He grew up in Bossier City. His famous nickname, "Big Hands," came about when he was in eighth grade.
One day, during physical education class, Gary wanted to pick up a basketball. His coach told him, "Get your big hands off my basketball!" From that moment on, the nickname stuck.
He played football at Charlotte Mitchell High School in Bossier City. After high school, he played college football at Grambling State University. He was a standout player for their Tigers football team. In 1972, he was named a first-team defensive tackle on the "Little All-America team." By 1974, he was a first-team All-American. This was his third straight "Little All-American" selection.
NFL Career Highlights
The San Diego Chargers chose Gary Johnson in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He was the eighth player picked overall. He quickly proved his worth and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team.
In 1980, Johnson was part of an amazing defensive line for the Chargers. He played alongside Fred Dean and Louie Kelcher. Together, they helped the Chargers lead the NFL in sacks with 60. A "sack" happens when a defensive player tackles the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.
That year, Johnson led the entire NFL with 17.5 sacks. This is still a Chargers' team record! Johnson and Dean were named first-team All-Pro players. Kelcher was named second-team All-Pro. These three, along with Leroy Jones, were known as the "Bruise Brothers." Johnson was also named the American Football Conference's Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Johnson continued his excellent play. He was a first-team All-Pro again in 1981. He was also a second-team All-Pro in 1982. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl team from 1980 to 1983. The Chargers teams of this time were famous for their exciting, high-scoring offense. However, their defense, led by Johnson, was also key to their success. The Chargers won their division from 1979 to 1981. They also made the playoffs in 1982.
In 1984, Johnson joined the San Francisco 49ers. There, he reunited with former Chargers teammates Dean, Kelcher, and Billy Shields. This group helped the 49ers win Super Bowl XIX. Many people called Johnson the "unofficial defensive MVP" of the Super Bowl. He had one sack and pressured the opposing quarterback, Dan Marino, many times. Johnson retired after the 1985 season.
After his playing career, Gary Johnson received many honors. In 1991, he was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. In 1997, he entered the College Football Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1999. He is a member of both the Chargers 40th and 50th anniversary teams. In 2017, he was posthumously elected into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Later Life and Passing
Gary Johnson suffered a stroke on July 20, 2010. He passed away on August 4, 2010. He died at the LSU Health Sciences Center in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana.
See also
- 1974 College Football All-America Team
