Johnny Johnson (American football) facts for kids

Johnny Johnson Jr. (born June 11, 1968) is a former American football player. He was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for teams like the New York Jets and the Phoenix Cardinals. He played professional football from 1990 to 1994. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the San Jose State Spartans.

Johnny Johnson Jr.'s Early Life and College Football

High School and College Days

Johnny Johnson Jr. went to Santa Cruz High School before attending San Jose State University. He was a talented athlete. In 1988, he was considered one of the top 20 college football players in the United States. He ran for 1,219 yards and caught 61 passes that year.

A Difficult Time in College

During his senior year, Johnny faced a tough situation. He was removed from the San Jose State football team. This happened because he missed practices and team meetings. Johnny explained that he was trying to help his mother after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Telephone lines were down, making it hard for him to tell his coach, Claude Gilbert, what was happening. However, his coach believed Johnny had skipped practice to watch a baseball game.

Impact on His NFL Draft

Because of these missed practices, Johnny's chances in the NFL draft were affected. He was picked much later than expected. The Phoenix Cardinals chose him as the 169th pick in the 1990 NFL draft.

Johnny Johnson Jr.'s NFL Career Highlights

Playing for the Phoenix Cardinals

Johnny Johnson Jr. started his professional career with the Phoenix Cardinals. He played for them for three seasons, from 1990 to 1992. He was a strong player and even made it to the 1991 Pro Bowl. This is a special game where the best players from the NFL play against each other.

Joining the New York Jets

In 1993, Johnny was traded to the New York Jets. The Cardinals traded him so they could get a higher draft pick. They really wanted another running back named Garrison Hearst.

Becoming an MVP with the Jets

Johnny quickly made a big impact with the Jets. In 1993, his teammates voted him the team's MVP. This means they thought he was the most important player on the team that year. He was also second in the AFC for total yards gained. He was one of only two running backs who led their team in both rushing and receiving yards.

Later Career and Retirement

After his time with the Jets, Johnny became a free agent in 1995. He considered joining the San Francisco 49ers and signed a contract with them in 1996. However, he never played a game for the 49ers. He suffered a back injury during training camp and was later released from the team.

Johnny Johnson Jr.'s NFL Statistics

Johnny Johnson Jr. had a successful NFL career as a running back. He played in 72 games over five seasons. He rushed for a total of 4,078 yards and scored 21 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 177 passes for 1,513 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. His longest run was 90 yards, and his longest catch was 51 yards.