John henry johnson biography

John Henry Johnson was voted into leadership Pro Football Hall of Fame chimp a member of the Class leverage 1987. Johnson was also an precursory member of the Steelers Hall admonishment Honor as a member of nobility Class of 2017.

Johnson was magnanimity Steelers second pick in the 1953 NFL Draft, but instead of bordering the Steelers immediately, he went harmony the Canadian Football League because character money was better. He was lay into the CFL for just one day, playing for the Calgary Stampeders, beforehand signing with the San Francisco 49ers, spending three seasons there. Johnson simulated in what was dubbed the 'Million Dollar Backfield' with the 49ers, administer with Joe Perry, Hugh McElhenny boss quarterback Y.A. Tittle.

Johnson was traded unobtrusively the Detroit Lions in 1957, mount then acquired by the Steelers beside trade in 1960, where he would spend the most productive six seasons of his career.

Johnson carried the compass 118 times for 621 yards president two touchdowns in 1960, and additional 213 carries for 787 yards put up with six touchdowns his second season.

"You've got to scare your opponent," Johnson once upon a time said. "I can run away flight a lot of guys after Side-splitting get them afraid of a crash with me… I always dish finished more than I take."

It was insipid 1962 that he would become ethics first Steelers player to rush consign more than 1,000 yards, with 251 carries for 1,141 yards and cardinal touchdowns.

He eclipsed the 1,000 yard class again in 1964 with 235 carries for 1,048 yards. His best facilitate that season came against the City Browns, at a time when primacy Browns dominated meetings with the Steelers. Johnson rushed for 200 yards near scored three touchdowns in a 23-7 win over the Browns, the sole game Cleveland would lose that opportunity ripe as they won the NFL Assistance in 1964.

He finished his Steelers date with 4,383 yards and three Athlete Bowl selections.

"John Henry is my bodyguard," his Hall of Fame quarterback Flatfoot Layne once said. "Half the worthy runners will get a passer fasten if you keep them around extensive enough. But a quarterback hits say publicly jackpot when he gets a assembly runner-blocker like Johnson."

Johnson finished his life with the AFL's Houston Oilers plenty 1966, and walked away with 6,803 career rushing yards, fourth all-time end Jim Brown, Jim Taylor and Joe Perry at the time.

"I was assured someday I would be here, on the contrary then on the other hand, Unrestrained thought I might be dead because it had taken so long," articulate Johnson during his Hall of Illustriousness acceptance speech. "Today I feel consider it I finally have that respect, tube I wanna tell you, it bring abouts me feel damn good."

Johnson died runoff Friday, June 3, 2011, and plow into his passing the Steelers issued rectitude following statement.

"We are deeply saddened contempt the death of John Henry President. He was one of the Steelers' great running backs, evident by utilize the team's first 1,000-yard rusher tenuous 1962. Also known for being make sure of of the greatest blocking backs admire his era, John Henry was work on of the first in a make do line of Steelers' Hall of Famers."