Johnny Johnson (American football) facts for kids

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

Early Life and College Football

Johnny Johnson Jr. went to Santa Cruz High School. After high school, he attended and graduated from San Jose State University. He was a talented athlete.

Playing for the Spartans

In 1988, Johnny was one of the top 20 college football players in the United States. He ran for 1,219 yards and caught 61 passes. He even played twelve games for the San Jose State Spartans basketball team. This happened when many basketball players left the team.

A Difficult Time

During his senior year, Johnny faced a tough situation. He missed some football practices and team meetings. This led to him being removed from the team. Johnny explained that he was helping his mother after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Telephone lines were down, so it was hard for him to tell his coach, Claude Gilbert. However, his coach thought Johnny had missed practice to watch a baseball game.

NFL Draft Impact

Because he was removed from the team, Johnny's chances in the NFL draft were affected. He was still picked by the Phoenix Cardinals in the 1990 NFL draft. He was the 169th player chosen overall.

Professional Football Career

Johnny Johnson Jr. had a good career in the NFL. He played for two main teams.

Time with the Phoenix Cardinals

Johnny played for the Phoenix Cardinals for three seasons. He was a strong player. In 1990, he was chosen for the 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 to move up one spot in the draft. They really wanted another running back named Garrison Hearst.

After joining the Jets, Johnny quickly became a key player. His teammates voted him the Jets' MVP in 1993. He was second in the AFC for total yards gained. He was also one of only two running backs who led their team in both rushing and catching passes.

Later Career

In 1995, Johnny became a free agent. This means he could sign with any team. The Jets also made him available for the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft. In 1996, he signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. However, he never played a game for them. He had a back injury during practice and was later released from the team.

NFL Career Statistics