Johnny Holloway Explained

Johnny Holloway
Number:23, 29, 6
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:8 November 1963
Birth Place:Galveston, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:181
High School:Lamar (Houston, Texas)
College:Kansas
Draftyear:1986
Draftround:7
Draftpick:185
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Interceptions
Statvalue1:1
Statlabel2:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue2:1
Pfr:HollJo23

Johnny Owen Holloway (born November 8, 1963) is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football at the University of Kansas.

Early life

Holloway attended Lamar High School, where he played wide receiver and defensive back. As a senior, he was considered one of the top three defensive back in the state of Texas. He also practiced track and was the state's long jump champion with a 24-8 leap as a junior.

He accepted a football scholarship from Northwestern University, where as a freshman he played in 11 games, posting 8 receptions for 122 yards. At the end of the year, he transferred to Butler Community College, where he led the nation in average yards per reception with 31 in 1983.

In 1984, he transferred to the University of Kansas, where he was named the starter at wide receiver, but was redshirted after suffering an ankle injury in the third game of the season.[1] Before the injury he was averaging 18.1 yards per reception and had 6 receptions for 141 yards including a 70-yard touchdown against Florida State University. He played 3 games, making 13 receptions for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The next year, he was viewed as the strongest and fastest wide receiver on the team, but was limited by a knee injury he suffered in the season opener against the University of Hawaii.[2] He played in 10 games, while registering 32 receptions for 358 yards and ranked fourth in receiving in the Big Eight Conference.

He was declared eligible for the NFL Draft after his junior season.[3]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Holloway was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (185th overall) of the 1986 NFL draft, with the intention of converting him into a cornerback.[4] He was expected to start at right cornerback in the season opener, in case Everson Walls missed any games during his contract holdout.[5]

He played mainly on special teams and nickel back in some games, covering the opponent's third wide receiver in passing situations. His only career interception came against the St. Louis Cardinals in a Monday Night Football game. He also registered 15 defensive tackles and 4 passes defensed. He was waived on September 7, 1987 .[6]

St. Louis Cardinals

Holloway was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals on September 8, 1987, but failed his physical.[7]

He was re-signed on November 11 for depth purposes.[8] He replaced an injured Cedric Mack (ankle) against the Washington Redskins, but gave up an 84-yard touchdown reception to Gary Clark and was released on December 9, 1987.[9]

Seattle Seahawks

On May 11, 1988, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent.[10] He was released before the start of the season.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jayhawks... . April 30, 2023.
  2. Web site: Gottfried giving Garner a look at wide receiver . April 30, 2023.
  3. Web site: Marino Will Get $9 Million Contract . April 30, 2023.
  4. Web site: 1986 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-10-03 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  5. Web site: Sports People; Dupree a Prospect . April 30, 2023.
  6. Web site: Transactions . April 30, 2023.
  7. Web site: Transactions . April 30, 2023.
  8. Web site: Transactions . April 30, 2023.
  9. Web site: Giants Might Follow an Aerial Route . April 30, 2023.
  10. Web site: Transactions . April 30, 2023.