John Henry Johnson
Fullback for the 49ers' Million Dollar Backfield and Hall of Famer
John Henry Johnson (November 24, 1929 – June 3, 2011) was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL), American Football League (AFL), and Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Oilers, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Fullback
- Born
- 24 November 1929
- Birthplace
- Waterproof, Louisiana, U.S.
- Died
- 3 June 2011
- Place of death
- Tracy, California, U.S.
- Draft year
- 1953
- Draft pick
- 18
- High school
- Pittsburg (Pittsburg, California)
Lore & Background
Johnson played left halfback in San Francisco's famed 'Million Dollar Backfield' alongside Hugh McElhenny, Y. A. Tittle, and Joe Perry. He was traded to Detroit in 1957 and became the team's leading rusher en route to that year's NFL championship. He is the second oldest player to record a 1,000-yard rushing season (behind John Riggins) and the oldest player to rush for 200 or more yards in a game.
Reader's Guide
He was traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for fullback Bill Bowman and defensive back Bill Stits.
Did You Know?
- Johnson won the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy as the WIFU's most valuable player in 1953 with the Calgary Stampeders.
- Johnson ranked third on the NFL's all-time rushing yards list when he retired.
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