Rashad Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rashad Johnson

Johnson with the Arizona Cardinals in 2015
No. 49, 26, 25
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1986-01-02) January 2, 1986 (age 39) Sulligent, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:	Sulligent
College:	Alabama
NFL Draft:	2009 / Round: 3 / Pick: 95
Career history
As player:
Arizona Cardinals (2009–2015) Tennessee Titans (2016)
As coach:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022) Defensive assistant Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023–present) Assistant secondary coach
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-American (2008) 2× First-team All-SEC (2007, 2008)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 383 Sacks: 1.0 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 4 Interceptions: 15 Defensive touchdowns: 3
Player stats at PFR

Julian Rashad Johnson (born January 2, 1986) is a former American football player. He played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL). Rashad was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2009 NFL Draft. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Early Life and High School Sports

Rashad Johnson grew up in Sulligent, Alabama, a small town near the Mississippi border. His parents are Randy and Gloria Johnson. He went to Sulligent High School, where he was a star athlete.

Playing Multiple Sports

At Sulligent High, Rashad played football, basketball, and ran track. He was a very good student too, graduating as the fifth-ranked student in his class of 54.

College Football Journey

When Rashad finished high school, he didn't have many offers for college football scholarships from big schools. The largest schools that offered him scholarships were The Citadel and North Alabama.

Starting at Alabama

Rashad decided to attend the University of Alabama as a walk-on player. This meant he joined the team without a scholarship at first. He started as a running back. In his first year, he was a redshirted player, meaning he practiced but didn't play in games. In his freshman year, he played in all 12 games, mostly on special teams.

Switching Positions and Earning a Scholarship

During his sophomore year, coaches told Rashad he wouldn't be a starting running back. They asked him to switch to defense and play safety. He played in 11 games that season, starting four as a free safety. He then earned a full scholarship! He made 33 tackles and caused two fumbles.

Junior and Senior Year Success

In 2007, his junior year, Rashad became a team captain. He started all 13 games and led the team with 81 tackles and six interceptions. He was named Alabama Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors.

In 2008, Rashad had an amazing game against LSU. He made three interceptions, which tied an Alabama record for a single game. One of these interceptions he returned for a touchdown. Another interception in overtime helped Alabama win the game and secure the SEC West Division title. That season, he had 89 tackles and five interceptions. He was named first-team All-SEC and earned first-team All-American honors.

Rashad graduated from Alabama with a degree in criminal justice.

Professional NFL Career

Rashad Johnson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft. He was the 95th player chosen overall.

Time with the Arizona Cardinals

• 2009: As a rookie, he played in 10 games.
• 2010: He played in all 16 games, starting one. He had 43 tackles and his first career interception.
• 2011: He played in 16 games, starting nine. He made 50 tackles.
• 2012: Rashad played in 18 games, starting three. He had 20 tackles and two interceptions. One of these was his first touchdown, after intercepting a pass from Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
• 2013: Rashad signed a new contract with the Cardinals. He changed his jersey number from 49 to 26. During a game, he had an injury to his left middle fingertip. He had his first game with multiple interceptions against the Atlanta Falcons, picking off two passes from Matt Ryan. In 2013, he started seven of 13 games and had career highs in tackles (58) and interceptions (three).
• Special Teams: Rashad was also a key player on special teams. Over his first five seasons, he made 41 special teams tackles. In 2012, he gained 64 yards on two fake punts, getting first downs with runs of 40 and 24 yards.

Playing for the Tennessee Titans

On March 25, 2016, Rashad Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. He played one season with the Titans, where he had 38 tackles and caused one fumble.

On January 3, 2018, Rashad Johnson announced that he was retiring from the NFL.

Career Statistics

Life After Playing Football

After retiring from playing, Rashad Johnson continued to be involved in football.

Working with Alabama Football

In 2018, Rashad joined the University of Alabama again. He became the sideline reporter for Alabama's gameday radio team. He also worked with the Alabama football staff in an off-field role.

Coaching with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2022, Johnson joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a defensive assistant coach. He continued with the Buccaneers in 2023 as an assistant secondary coach.