Rich Johnson (American football) explained

Rich Johnson
Number:38
Position:Running back
Birth Date:13 May 1947
Birth Place:Canton, Illinois, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:225
High School:Canton (Canton, Illinois)
College:Illinois
Draftyear:1969
Draftround:3
Draftpick:78
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:14
Statlabel2:Rushing yards
Statvalue2:42
Pfr:J/JohnRi01

Richard Lewis Johnson (born May 13, 1947) is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the third round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. Johnson played college football at Illinois.

College career

Johnson was a member of the Illinois Fighting Illini for four seasons, playing his final three years and starting the last two at fullback. He rushed for 768 yards and six touchdowns on 195 carries in his junior season.[1] As a senior, Johnson finished 20th in the nation with 973 rushing yards and was named second team All-Big Ten Conference and the team Most Valuable Player.[2] [3] He finished his collegiate career with 2,058 rushing yards, fourth-most in school history at the time, and 11 touchdowns.[4] [5]

Professional career

Johnson was selected in the third round (78th overall) of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft by the Houston Oilers.[5] He played in all of the Oilers games during the 1969 season, rushing 11 times for 42 yards with two receptions for 17 yards and one touchdown in his lone professional season.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Remember When: Sept. 7 in Journal Star sports history. Journal Star. September 7, 2018. April 18, 2020.
  2. News: Podolak and Meskimen Named All-Big 10. The Daily Iowan. November 27, 1968. 3.
  3. Web site: Fighting Illini Football Record Book. University of Illinois. 2015. April 18, 2020. 155. November 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201129040612/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf. dead.
  4. Web site: BIG GAME VAULTS FERGUSON OVER 2,000 RUSHING YARDS. fightingillini.com. September 20, 2015. April 18, 2020.
  5. Web site: Johnson, Pleviak Drafted by Pros. John. Hundley. The Daily Illini. January 30, 1969. April 18, 2020.
  6. Web site: Rich Johnson Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com. April 18, 2020.