Leon Johnson (running back)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1974)}}
{{other people|Leon Johnson}}
{{for|the American football player of the same name born in 1904|Leon Johnson (end)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Leon Johnson
| number = 32, 35
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|07|13}}
| birth_place = Morganton, North Carolina, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 222
| high_school = Freedom (Morganton)
| college = North Carolina
| draftyear = 1997
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 104
| pastteams =
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|1997|2000}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2001|2002}})
- St. Louis Rams (2003)*{{cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.nfl.com/transactions/league/signings/2003/3?after=AAAH0wAAAAMAAAAYAAAAAAAFe40= |website=NFL.com |access-date=26 October 2024}}
- San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|2003|2004}})
| highlights =
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1997)
- First-team All-ACC (1996)
- 2× Second-team All-ACC (1993, 1994)
- ACC Rookie of the Year (1993)
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 799
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 3.7
| statlabel3 = Receptions
| statvalue3 = 46
| statlabel4 = Receiving yards
| statvalue4 = 489
| statlabel5 = Return yards
| statvalue5 = 4,305
| statlabel6 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 13
| pfr = JohnLe00
}}
William Leon Johnson (born July 13, 1974) is an American former professional football player who was a running back. He played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets, the Chicago Bears, and the San Diego Chargers.[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnLe00.htm Leon Johnson Stats]. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
He also debuted in Power Slap 12 in a match against Kole Smith
Early life
Johnson played quarterback at Freedom High School in Morganton, North Carolina. While at Freedom High Johnson also starred at track, winning the state championship in the long jump in his senior year, and played both basketball and baseball. He was moved to tailback at the University of North Carolina.
College career
He played under Mack Brown in college at University of North Carolina. Johnson finished his college career with 3,693 rushing yards and 43 TD and added 1,288 yards receiving with 4 TD. He also scored two punt return TD's and a kick return TD.
- 1993: 179 carries for 1,012 yards with 14 TD. 29 catches for 233 yards with 2 TD
- 1994: 151 carries for 805 yards with 7 TD. 29 catches for 266 yards with 2 TD
- 1995: 225 carries for 963 yards with 12 TD. 54 catches for 408 yards
- 1996: 242 carries for 913 yards with 10 TD. 39 catches for 381 yards
Johnson was the only player in Atlantic Coast Conference history to be in the top five in career all-purpose yards, top five in career touchdowns, top five in career scoring, top 10 in career rushing yards and top 10 in career receptions. Johnson finished his college career being first in all-purpose yards in ACC history, and second in touchdowns. Johnson scored 50 touchdowns in his career, just one shy of the then all-time ACC record held by Ted Brown of NC State. Johnson scored 306 points total points at UNC, a school record for non-kickers. At the time, Johnson and Brown were the only two non-kickers to score 300 or more points in their college career.
Professional career
Johnson was selected as the 104th overall pick in the 1997 NFL draft by the New York Jets.{{Cite web |title=1997 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1997/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was primarily used as a return specialist, returning both a kick return and punt return for touchdowns in his rookie season. He also would still be used as a running back. Johnson was the punt returner on the NFL's 1997 All-Rookie team. In 2001, he left the Jets in free agency and signed with the Chicago Bears. While with the Bears, he had his career high most rushing touchdowns in a season with 4, on only 20 total carries. In 2003, he signed with the San Diego Chargers where he played for one season and then retired.Burton, Roger. (August 2, 2017). [https://www.tarheelblog.com/2017/8/2/16079142/north-carolina-tar-heels-football-top-25-no-10-leon-johnson All-time UNC Football Top 25 Countdown: No. 10 Leon Johnson]. tarheelblog.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
Personal life
Johnson is the father of one child, Jaylen.
In 2010, Johnson was inducted in the Burke County Sports Hall of Fame.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Jets1997DraftPicks}}
{{NFL punt return yards leaders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Leon}}
Category:People from Morganton, North Carolina
Category:Players of American football from North Carolina
Category:American football running backs
Category:American football return specialists
Category:North Carolina Tar Heels football players
Category:New York Jets players