Billy Johnson
| Billy Johnson | |
|---|---|
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Positions: WR , PR , KR |
Jersey numbers: 81, 84, 88 |
| born January 27, 1952 in Boothwyn , Pennsylvania | |
| Career information | |
| Active : 1974 - 1988 | |
| NFL Draft : 1974 / Round: 15 / Pick: 365 | |
| College : Widener University | |
| Teams | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Games | 143 |
| Touchdowns | 35 |
| Pass catches | 337 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| College Football Hall of Fame | |
William Arthur "Billy" Johnson (* 27. January 1952 in Boothwyn , Pennsylvania ) is a former American American football player in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a wide receiver for the Houston Oilers and the Atlanta Falcons, among others .
Player career
College career
Billy Johnson studied from 1971 to 1973 at Widener University and played as halfback for their lower-class college football team . During his college career , he scored 3,737 yards and 62 touchdowns with running play . Johnson was known for his excessive cheers when he scored a touchdown. He celebrated a dance with the name: Funky Chicken , which was based on a song by Rufus Thomas . His sporting achievements brought Johnson into the focus of the NFL scouts .
Professional career
"White Shoes" Johnson in 1974 in the 15th round at the 365th place by the Houston Oilers drafted . The late signing shouldn't give him high hopes for a permanent professional career. Johnson was used by the Oilers as a wide receiver and return specialist. In 1978, Johnson sustained a knee injury that disabled him in 1979. After he had overcome the injury in 1980, the Oilers only used him as a wide receiver. Since Johnson's contract was no longer renewed by the Houston team , he joined the Montreal Alouettes (CFL) in 1981 . The following year he moved to the Atlanta Falcons and moved with his team into the play-offs , but where they failed in the first round at the Minnesota Vikings with 30:24. In 1988 he moved to the Washington Redskins coached by Joe Gibbs , where he ended his career after just one game.
Billy Johnson was able to achieve three touchdowns as a punt returner in 1975 and two touchdowns in 1977. Due to his individual performances as a return specialist, Johnson is to be found in several front places in the NFL record books.
Honors
Billy Johnson played in three Pro Bowls , the final game of the season's best players. He was voted All-Pro three times . Johnson serves on the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team , the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team , the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team , the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame . After returning from Canada , he was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1983.
Coaching career
Johnson currently works as a conditioning coach for the Atlanta Falcons organization. He lives with his family in Duluth , Georgia . He is also employed as a trainer at a high school in Duluth.
Web links
- Billy Johnson as assistant coach ( Memento from September 6, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- Billy Johnson with the Atlanta Falcons
- Billy Johnson short biography
Individual evidence
- ↑ Touchdown cheers from Billy Johnson
- ↑ Annual statistics of the Falcons 1982
- ↑ Statistics play-off game Falcons against Vikings 1982
- ↑ Record list of punt returners
- ↑ Record list of kick-off returner
- Jump up ↑ Johnson's high school coaching job ( July 19, 2014 memento in the Internet Archive )
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Johnson, Billy |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Johnson, William Arthur (full name); Johnson, White Shoes (nickname) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American football player |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 27, 1952 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Boothwyn , Pennsylvania , United States |