Derrick Johnson

Lore & Background

Johnson was born in Waco, Texas, and attended Waco High School, where he was a three-sport star in football, track and basketball. In football, he registered 170 tackles, 21.0 stops for loss, six sacks, five forced fumbles, and two interceptions as a senior. He earned Parade magazine high school All-America and first-team All-Texas Class 5A honors and played in the first-ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl. In track, he was a state-qualifier in the 100-meters and triple jump. At Texas, he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection from 2002 to 2004, consensus All-American in 2003, unanimous All-American in 2004, and won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Dick Butkus Award, and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He was drafted 15th overall by the Chiefs in 2005 and played 13 seasons with the team, making four Pro Bowls. He also played six games for the Oakland Raiders in 2018.

In Their Own Story

The cold wind bit through the locker room air, but Derrick Johnson stood calm before the tunnel. Fifteen years of Friday night lights and Sunday afternoons condensed into this moment at Arrowhead. He adjusted his shoulder pads, feeling the familiar weight of number 55. The crowd roared as he stepped onto the gridiron, helmet gleaming under the floodlights. He didn't need to say a word; the defense knew the call by the way he stood.

Reader's Guide

Derrick Johnson played linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2005 to 2017, primarily as an outside linebacker but also as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-American in college. He finished his career with six games for the Oakland Raiders in 2018.

Did You Know?

• Johnson was selected 15th overall in the 2005 NFL draft, not third overall.
• He made four Pro Bowls, not seven.
• He did not win Super Bowl LIV; he was released by the Chiefs in March 2018 and last played for the Oakland Raiders.