Keyshawn Johnson

Lore & Background

Johnson was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended Palisades High School for his sophomore and junior years and then Susan Miller Dorsey High School for his senior year. In eighth grade, he spent nine months in a California youth facility after being arrested for possession of marijuana, cocaine, and a concealed handgun. His low SAT scores forced him to start his college football career at West Los Angeles College. He later transferred to USC, where he played in 1994 and 1995, earning All-American honors twice. He was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 1995 and was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame on December 31, 2008.

Reader's Guide

Johnson was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 12, 2000, for two first-round draft picks. He signed an 8-year, $56 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. He played for the Buccaneers from 2000 to 2003, winning Super Bowl XXXVII in the 2002 season. In 2003, his relationship with head coach Jon Gruden deteriorated, leading to his de-activation for the final seven games. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys on March 19, 2004, for Joey Galloway. He was released by the Cowboys on March 16, 2006, and signed with the Carolina Panthers on March 23, 2006. He was released by the Panthers on May 1, 2007, and announced his retirement on May 23, 2007.

Did You Know?

• He caught 12 passes for a Rose Bowl record 216 yards and one touchdown in the 1996 Rose Bowl.
• He became the first player in NFL history to score a touchdown on Monday Night Football with four teams (Jets, Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Panthers).
• After retiring, he spent seven years as a television broadcaster for ESPN and later co-hosted FS1's Undisputed and Speak.