Johnnie Morton facts for kids

Johnnie James Morton Jr. (born October 7, 1971) is a former American professional football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1990s and early 2000s. Morton played college football for the USC Trojans, where he was recognized as an All-American in 1993. He was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 1994 NFL draft. He also played professionally for the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. After his football career, Morton briefly tried mixed martial arts fighting in 2007.

Early Life and High School Football

Johnnie Morton was born in Torrance, California. He went to South High School in Torrance. There, he played for the South High Spartans high school football team.

College Football Career

Morton played college football for the USC Trojans from 1990 to 1993. During his time at the University of Southern California, he broke twelve team records. These records were for the most catches (receptions) and receiving yards. He also set records in the Pacific-10 Conference.

USC broadcasters gave him nicknames like "Big Play Morton" and "Johnnie Hero." This was because of a game-winning touchdown catch he made in 1990. In that game, USC played against UCLA. Morton caught a 23-yard pass with only 16 seconds left. This helped the Trojans win 45-42 in an exciting comeback victory.

Professional Football Career

The Detroit Lions picked Johnnie Morton in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He was the 21st player chosen overall. He played for the Lions from 1994 to 2001.

When he first joined the Lions, Morton was part of a strong group of receivers. This group included Pro Bowl player Herman Moore and veteran Brett Perriman. After his first year, Morton became a key player for the Lions. He was often the "slot receiver," meaning he played closer to the center of the field. He also helped the team by returning kickoffs and punts.

In 1995, Morton was part of one of the best offenses in Detroit Lions history. That year, the Lions scored 436 points, which was the second-highest in the NFL. They won ten games and made it to the playoffs for the third year in a row. Morton made 44 catches for 590 yards and scored 8 touchdowns that season.

One of his most memorable games was on Thanksgiving Day in 1995 against the Minnesota Vikings. In that game, three Lions receivers, including Morton, each gained over 100 receiving yards. Running back Barry Sanders also rushed for 138 yards. The Lions won the high-scoring game 44-38.

After Brett Perriman left the team, Morton became an even more important receiver for the Lions. His best season was in 1999. That year, he had 80 catches for 1,129 yards. The Lions surprisingly made the playoffs that season, even after Barry Sanders retired.

Overall, Johnnie Morton finished his professional career with 624 catches for 8,719 yards. He also scored 43 touchdowns. He ranks third on the Detroit Lions' all-time list for both catches and receiving yards.

NFL Career Statistics

Here are Johnnie Morton's receiving statistics from his NFL career:

Personal Life and Family

Johnnie Morton has an older half-brother named Michael Morton, who played football at UNLV. His younger brother, Chad Morton, also played football at USC. The Morton family has both African American and Japanese heritage.

Mixed Martial Arts

After his football career, Johnnie Morton had a short career in mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting in 2007.

See also

• List of male mixed martial artists