Rich Johnson (American football)

Richard Lavon 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 Draft. Johnson played college football at Illinois.

Rich Johnson
No. 38
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1947-05-13) May 13, 1947
Canton, Illinois
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:Canton High School
College:Illinois
NFL Draft:1969 / Round: 3 / Pick: 78
Career history
  • Houston Oilers (1969)
Career highlights and awards
Player stats at PFR

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]

References
  1. "Remember When: Sept. 7 in Journal Star sports history". Journal Star. September 7, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  2. "Podolak and Meskimen Named All-Big 10" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. November 27, 1968. p. 3.
  3. "Fighting Illini Football Record Book" (PDF). University of Illinois. 2015. p. 155. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  4. "BIG GAME VAULTS FERGUSON OVER 2,000 RUSHING YARDS". fightingillini.com. September 20, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  5. Hundley, John (January 30, 1969). "Johnson, Pleviak Drafted by Pros". The Daily Illini. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  6. "Rich Johnson Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
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