Melvin Johnson (American football) facts for kids

Melvin Johnson, born on April 15, 1972, is an American former professional football player. He played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, he was chosen by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1995 NFL Draft.

Melvin Johnson's Football Journey

Melvin Johnson had an exciting career in American football. He played at a high level, first in college and then in the NFL. His journey shows how hard work and talent can lead to playing professional sports.

Early Days: High School and College Football

Melvin Johnson grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He went to St. Xavier High School and graduated in 1990. After high school, he continued his football career at the University of Kentucky.

While playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, Melvin was a standout player. In 1994, he was named to the First-team All-SEC. This means he was one of the best players in the Southeastern Conference, a very tough college football league.

Playing in the NFL: A Safety's Role

After his successful college career, Melvin Johnson entered the 1995 NFL draft. He was picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round, as the 43rd overall player chosen. This was a big achievement, showing he was considered one of the top young talents.

A safety in football is a defensive player. Their main job is to help stop the other team from scoring. They are often the last line of defense, covering wide receivers and helping to tackle running backs. Safeties need to be fast, strong, and smart to read the game.

Melvin played for the Buccaneers from 1995 to 1997. During his time there, he made many tackles and even had some interceptions. An interception happens when a defensive player catches a pass thrown by the opposing team's quarterback.

In 1996, he had his best season with the Buccaneers. He played in all 16 games and started every one of them. He made 80 tackles that year, which was a career high for him. He also had two interceptions.

After his time with the Buccaneers, Melvin also played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998. He briefly played for the Washington Redskins and the San Diego Chargers as well. Throughout his NFL career, Melvin Johnson recorded 165 tackles and 4 interceptions. He also had one sack, which is when a defensive player tackles the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

Melvin Johnson's career shows what it takes to play at the highest level of American football.