Derrick Johnson

Derrick O'Hara Johnson, born November 22, 1982, in Waco, Texas, spent 13 seasons as a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs after being selected 15th overall in the 2005 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowler, he also appeared in six games for the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Before turning pro, Johnson starred at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a consensus All-American twice (2003 and 2004) and won the Dick Butkus Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy as a senior.

At Waco High School, he was a three-sport athlete in football, track, and basketball, earning Parade All-America honors and playing in the first U.S. Army All-American Bowl. In track, he qualified for state in the 100-meter dash and triple jump. During his college career with the Texas Longhorns, Johnson was a first-team All-Big 12 selection from 2002 to 2004 and helped the team finish 11–1 with a 38–37 Rose Bowl win over Michigan. Entering the 2005 draft as a top outside linebacker prospect, he was signed by the Chiefs to a five-year, $10.4 million contract.

As a rookie, he started all 16 games, recording 95 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning the team’s Mack Lee Hill Award. Over his Chiefs tenure, he consistently started, posting 75 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2006, 94 tackles and four sacks in 2007, and continuing as a key defensive presence through 2008 and beyond.