Damaris Johnson

Johnson was born in Norco, Louisiana where he was raised by his single mother Lori Johnson. According to Johnson, his first cousin Mark Young acted as a surrogate father and taught him how to play football.{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Aaron |date=August 30, 2015 |title=Texans' Johnson reflects on Katrina's aftermath |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-Johnson-reflects-on-Katrina-s-aftermath-6473916.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926091035/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-Johnson-reflects-on-Katrina-s-aftermath-6473916.php |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}} He attended Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana where he became a three-year letter winner in football. He eventually became the all-time leading receiver at Destrehan High School with a career record of 154 receptions, 2,620 yards, and 30 touchdowns. In his senior year alone, he made 81 receptions for 1,228 yards, and 12 touchdowns. That year, Destrehan High School achieved a 14–0 record and won the state championship. Johnson was named the Louisiana Championship game Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the New Orleans Metro MVP, and was twice named an all-state and all-New Orleans Metro player.{{Cite web |title=Damaris Johnson – Football |url=https://tulsahurricane.com/sports/football/roster/damaris-johnson/3070 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219043312/https://tulsahurricane.com/sports/football/roster/damaris-johnson/3070 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=University of Tulsa Athletics |language=en}}

Johnson was highly ranked as a college prospect by several websites, but was not shown much interest by the major football schools due in part to his small stature.{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Jennifer |date=September 3, 2009 |title=Former Destrehan player Damaris Johnson spices up Tulsa attack |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/tulane/article_70a77dfd-7cae-5912-a030-7975cb3edd36.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219043311/https://www.nola.com/sports/tulane/article_70a77dfd-7cae-5912-a030-7975cb3edd36.html |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}} His high school coach Stephen Robicheaux said, "If he were two inches taller, he could have gone anywhere in the country."{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mike |title=Up close: Damaris Johnson |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/tu/up-close-damaris-johnson/article_05b6c524-6e01-520e-b248-ecea296b18a5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219043312/https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/tu/up-close-damaris-johnson/article_05b6c524-6e01-520e-b248-ecea296b18a5.html |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Tulsa World |date=September 23, 2008 |language=en}} Rivals.com assigned him a four-star rating and named him the 11th-ranked college prospect in Louisiana and the 28th-ranked athlete in the nation. Scout.com assessed him as the 21st-ranked college prospect in the state. Johnson selected Tulsa over Texas Christian, Memphis, and Louisiana Tech.{{Cite web |title=Damaris Johnson, Destrehan , Athlete |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Damaris-Johnson-55701/high-school-95736/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219043312/https://247sports.com/Player/Damaris-Johnson-55701/high-school-95736/ |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}

Against UTEP, Johnson set a Tulsa school record for single-game kickoff return yards with 211 yards on six returns. In the first quarter, Johnson returned a kick 98 yards for a touchdown to equalize the game at 28 and shift the momentum in favor of Tulsa.{{Cite web |title=UTEP at Tulsa Box Score, October 18, 2008 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2008-10-18-tulsa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722110954/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2008-10-18-tulsa.html |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} By the game's end, Johnson had accumulated 296 all-purpose yards and was named a Conference USA Player of the Week.{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2008 |title=Tulsa's Duo of Brennan Marion and Damaris Johnson Earn C-USA Player of the Week Honors |url=https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2008/10/20/Tulsa_s_Duo_of_Brennan_Marion_and_Damaris_Johnson_Earn_C_USA_Player_of_the_Week_Honors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219043318/https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2008/10/20/Tulsa_s_Duo_of_Brennan_Marion_and_Damaris_Johnson_Earn_C_USA_Player_of_the_Week_Honors |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=University of Tulsa Athletics |language=en}} Against New Mexico, Johnson caught five passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=New Mexico at Tulsa Box Score, September 20, 2008 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2008-09-20-tulsa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716205109/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2008-09-20-tulsa.html |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Tulsa head coach Todd Graham said that true freshman "Damaris Johnson is as explosive of a freshman or any player I've seen, freshman or senior." He led his team and the conference in all-purpose yardage with 2,201 yards and set a Tulsa school record for single-season kickoff return yards with 1,319.{{Cite web |title=2008 Tulsa Golden Hurricane Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tulsa/2008.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020061711/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tulsa/2008.html |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

In 2008, Johnson was named to the All-Conference USA second-team as a kick returner and All-Conference USA honorable mention as a wide receiver.{{Cite web |title=Six Tulsa Players Earn All-Conference USA Honors, Three Newcomers Named to All-Freshman Team |url=https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2008/12/9/Six_Tulsa_Players_Earn_All_Conference_USA_Honors_Three_Newcomers_Named_to_All_Freshman_Team.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222143424/http://www.tulsahurricane.com/news/2008/12/9/Six_Tulsa_Players_Earn_All_Conference_USA_Honors_Three_Newcomers_Named_to_All_Freshman_Team.aspx |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=University of Tulsa Athletics |language=en}} The Sporting News named him a first-team freshman All-American, Rivals.com named him a first-team freshman All-American as an all-purpose player and Phil Steele's College Football magazine named him a second-team freshman All-American kick returner.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2008 |title=Tulsa's Damaris Johnson Adds Two More Freshman All-America Honors |url=https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2008/12/17/Tulsa_s_Damaris_Johnson_Adds_Two_More_Freshman_All_America_Honors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219043317/https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2008/12/17/Tulsa_s_Damaris_Johnson_Adds_Two_More_Freshman_All_America_Honors |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=University of Tulsa Athletics |language=en}} On December 24, 2010, in the Hawaii Bowl game, Johnson broke the NCAA record for all purpose yardage with 326 in a 62–35 win for Tulsa.{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2010 |title=Damaris Johnson leads Tulsa to 62–35 victory over Hawaii in Hawaii Bowl |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/college/damaris-johnson-leads-tulsa-to-62-35-victory-over-hawaii-in-hawaii-bowl/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}

Johnson was suspended indefinitely on August 25, 2011, following questions about his role in his girlfriend's arrest for felony embezzlement.{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=David |date=August 26, 2011 |title=Tulsa Suspends Damaris Johnson Indefinitely |url=https://www.newson6.com/story/5e3657852f69d76f6206c922/tulsa-suspends-damaris-johnson-indefinitely |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111223028/http://www.newson6.com/story/5e3657852f69d76f6206c922/tulsa-suspends-damaris-johnson-indefinitely |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=www.newson6.com |language=en}} Johnson's girlfriend, Chamon Jones, was accused of ringing up $2,610 worth of merchandise over the course of two purchases at the Tulsa Macy's she worked at, but only charging Johnson just over $13 in total.{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2011 |title=Tulsa player briefly jailed in embezzlement case |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/6918140/tulsa-golden-hurricanes-damaris-johnson-briefly-jailed-embezzlement-case |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219043317/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/6918140/tulsa-golden-hurricanes-damaris-johnson-briefly-jailed-embezzlement-case |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} Johnson was initially questioned and released, but on August 31 Johnson was also charged with felony embezzlement by the Tulsa County District Attorney's office.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Eric |date=August 31, 2011 |title=Tulsa's Damaris Johnson charged with felony embezzlement |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3599986/tulsas-damaris-johnson-charged-with-felony-embezzlement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219044316/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2011/08/31/tulsas-damaris-johnson-charged-with-felony-embezzlement/61137971007/ |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Oklahoman.com |language=en-US}} In October 2011, Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge and received a deferred sentence.{{Cite web |date=October 13, 2011 |title=Tulsa's Johnson pleads guilty to embezzlement |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7096213/tulsa-golden-hurricanes-damaris-johnson-pleads-guilty-embezzlement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206022354/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7096213/tulsa-golden-hurricanes-damaris-johnson-pleads-guilty-embezzlement |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}

Johnson was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2012. It was announced on August 31, 2012, that Johnson made the roster. On Friday, September 21, it was announced that Johnson would start along with DeSean Jackson against the Arizona Cardinals, replacing the injured Jeremy Maclin. Johnson performed respectably, catching five passes for 84 yards in the 27–6 loss, but he returned to the bench when Maclin returned.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – September 23rd, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209230crd.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901065504/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209230crd.htm |archive-date=September 1, 2017 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On Sunday, December 2, 2012, during Sunday Night Football, he returned a 98-yard punt for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys, which is tied for the third longest punt return in NFL history.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – December 2nd, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201212020dal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118011335/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201212020dal.htm |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was released by the Eagles on August 30, 2014, and picked up by the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |last=Pollak |first=Yoni |date=August 31, 2014 |title=Houston Texans claim OT Adams, CB Morris, & WR Johnson |url=http://houseofhouston.com/2014/08/31/houston-texans-claim-adams-morris |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909040801/http://houseofhouston.com/2014/08/31/houston-texans-claim-adams-morris/ |archive-date=September 9, 2014 |access-date=August 31, 2014 |website=House of Houston}}

On September 21, 2014, Johnson caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for his first career touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Crosby |first=Jack |date=September 21, 2014 |title=Ryan Fitzpatrick hits Damaris Johnson with 44-yard TD pass (Video) |url=https://fansided.com/2014/09/21/ryan-fitzpatrick-hits-damaris-johnson-44-yard-td-pass-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529081526/http://fansided.com/2014/09/21/ryan-fitzpatrick-hits-damaris-johnson-44-yard-td-pass-video/ |archive-date=May 29, 2016 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=FanSided |language=en-US}} Johnson played in all 16 games for the Texans in 2014.{{Cite web |title=Damaris Johnson 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnDa04/gamelog/2014/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709074022/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnDa04/gamelog/2014/ |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Texans waived him at the end of preseason in September 2015.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Aaron |date=September 6, 2015 |title=Former Texans wide receiver Damaris Johnson working out for Titans |url=https://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2015/09/former-texans-wide-receiver-damaris-johnson-working-out-for-titans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017131258/https://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2015/09/former-texans-wide-receiver-damaris-johnson-working-out-for-titans/ |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}}

Johnson was signed by the New England Patriots on December 1, 2015. He played one game against his former team, the Eagles, where he had one run for six yards.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots – December 6th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512060nwe.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129173323/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512060nwe.htm |archive-date=January 29, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was later released by the team on December 16, 2015.{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2016 |title=Patriots place RB LeGarrette Blount on Injured Reserve; Release WR Damaris Johnson |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/2015/12/16/patriots-place-rb-legarrette-blount-injured-reserve-release-wr-damaris-johnson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622175853/https://www.patriots.com/news/2015/12/16/patriots-place-rb-legarrette-blount-injured-reserve-release-wr-damaris-johnson |archive-date=June 22, 2016 |website=Patriots.com}}

On December 17, 2015, the Tennessee Titans claimed Johnson off of waivers.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Jimmy |date=December 17, 2015 |title=Titans claim Damaris Johnson off waivers from NE |url=https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/2015/12/17/10448988/titans-claim-former-patriots-wr-damaris-johnson-off-waivers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015084928/https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/2015/12/17/10448988/titans-claim-former-patriots-wr-damaris-johnson-off-waivers |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Music City Miracles |language=en}} On May 9, 2016, he was released from the team.{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2016 |title=Titans Agree to Terms with 11 Undrafted Free Agents |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Agree-to-Terms-with-11-Undrafted-Free-Agents/35517269-ae90-4a0b-b17d-c68b0120d107 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510103856/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Agree-to-Terms-with-11-Undrafted-Free-Agents/35517269-ae90-4a0b-b17d-c68b0120d107 |archive-date=May 10, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2016 |website=Titans Online}}

On July 24, 2016, the BC Lions signed Johnson to their practice roster,{{Cite web |last=Beamish |first=Mike |date=July 25, 2016 |title=NFL vet, Golden Hurricane legend Damaris Johnson joins Lions |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/football/nfl-vet-golden-hurricane-legend-damaris-johnson-joins-lions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108164431/http://theprovince.com/sports/football/nfl-vet-golden-hurricane-legend-damaris-johnson-joins-lions |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Vancouver Province |language=en-CA}} but was released on August 9, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Harrigan |first=Scott |date=August 9, 2016 |title=BC Lions roster transactions and moves |url=https://www.independentsportsnews.com/2016/08/09/bc-lions-roster-transactions-moves/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019231256/https://www.independentsportsnews.com/2016/08/09/bc-lions-roster-transactions-moves/ |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=ISN |language=en-US}}

Johnson and his wife, Chamon Jones Johnson, have three sons. The family resides in La Place, Louisiana right outside of his hometown Norco, Louisiana.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{footballstats|pfr=J/JohnDa04|espn=15624|yahoo=26004}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120430015143/http://www.tulsahurricane.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_damaris00.html Tulsa Golden Hurricane bio]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Damaris}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Norco, Louisiana

Category:Sportspeople from St. Charles Parish, Louisiana

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:Destrehan High School alumni

Category:Tulsa Golden Hurricane football players

Category:Players of American football from Louisiana

Category:Philadelphia Eagles players

Category:Houston Texans players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:New England Patriots players

Category:Tennessee Titans players