Jack Johnson (defensive back)

John Connell Johnson (December 11, 1933 – October 18, 2015) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears. He also was a member of the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Texans in the American Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Miami.

Jack Johnson
No. 49, 42, 32
Position:Defensive back
Personal information
Born:(1933-12-11)December 11, 1933
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:October 18, 2015(2015-10-18) (aged 81)
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:Carrick (PA)
College:Miami (FL)
NFL Draft:1957 / Round: 4 / Pick: 49
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:45
Interceptions:8
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Johnson attended Carrick High School, where he played as a running back. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Miami. During his first years, he was tried at different positions, including halfback. In his last two seasons he also was the team's punter.

As a senior, he settled as a two-way player at offensive end and defensive back, becoming a starter for the first time in his college career. He was second on the team with 8 receptions for 98 yards (12.3-yard avg.), 2 receiving touchdowns, while also registering 34 tackles (fourth on the team), and 35 punts for a 38.2-yard average.[1]

In 2004, he was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame.[2]

Professional career

Johnson was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (49th overall) of the 1957 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he had 4 interceptions and 11 punts for 398 yards (36.2-yard average).

In 1958, he tallied one interception and 18 punts for 627 yards (34.8-yard average). In 1959, he only appeared in 6 games (all starts), registering one interception and one punt for 32 yards.

He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft.[3] On September 13, he was released before the start of the season.[4]

On September 20, 1960, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League and became a part of the franchise's inaugural season.[5] He appeared in 12 games (2 starts) and posted 2 interceptions.

On April 10, 1962, he was traded along with Paul Miller from the Dallas Texans to the New York Titans, in exchange for the rights to defensive end Curt Merz.[6] He was released before the start of the season.

Personal life

On October 18, 2015, he died from dementia and early-stage Alzheimer's disease.[7]

References
  1. "Four More Hurricanes Added to South All-Star Team". The Miami Herald. December 11, 1956. p. 17C.
  2. "Hall Inductions". The Miami Herald. April 21, 2004. p. 11D.
  3. "Giants Send Don Heinrich To Dallas Club". Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  4. "Five Players Dropped From Cowboys Roster". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 14, 1960. p. 25.
  5. "Jack Johnson Brings Defensive Experience To Bills' Secondary". The Buffalo News. September 21, 1960. p. 70.
  6. "Titans, Texans Deal". Philadelphia Daily News. April 11, 1962. p. 59.
  7. "Obituary Jack Johnson". Legacy.com. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
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