Johnson, Johnny (RB-San Jose St)

CARDS: Upper Deck 1993, Action Packed Rookies 1990
ACQUIRED: 2014, Canton Acquisition. 2021, EBay

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played 3 years at San Jose State from 1987-89.
  • Converted to RB in 1988, and had best year for the Spartans, racking up 1219 yards and 15 TDs on 233 carries.
  • Also had 61 receptions for 668 yards and 4 TDs, to total out 1887 yards from scrimmage.
  • Was a 7th round selection of the Phoenix Cardinals.
  • Went on to post 926 yards and 5 TDs (234 carries), and 25 receptions for 241 yards in 1990.
  • Posted 666 yards in 1991 and 734 in 1992.
  • Traded to the New York Jets in 1993, so the Cardinals could move up one spot and select Garrison Hearst.
  • Continued to post solid numbers, rushing for 821 yards in 1993, and a career high 67 receptions for 641 yards.
  • In 1994 had a career high 931 yards rushing and 240 carries and a 90 yard long.
  • After being cut in ’95, joined the 49ers in 1996, but aggravated a back injury on the first day of camp and never saw the field again.

ACCOLADES:

  • 1990 Pro Bowl
  • 1990 All Rookie Team

NOTES:

The 1990 draft rookies besides Emmitt Smith held some intriguing competition that all seemed to be felled by injury. Blair Thomas and Johnny Johnson each provided early competition for Smith- with Johnson actually garnering All Rookie Honors from the Pro Football Writers Association. Johnny actually only finished a few yards behind Smith in rushing, and 2 yards ahead of Emmitt in total yards in 1990. After that Emmitt quickly ran away with things, but Johnson just kept chugging, even if it was for some poor teams. in 1993 despite not rushing or receiving for over 1,000 yards, Johnson finished second in the AFC in total yards from scrimmage and was named Jets MVP for the year.

I’ve never been able to track down Johnny. I’ve sorta patchworked my way into some autographs of his but still need him on at least one more set need to close him out.

Johnny also makes his debut appearance on the game Tecmo Super Bowl as a pretty solid back for the Cards.

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104640783.92190t
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17715138.5551t