The San Francisco 49ers have lost one of their all-time greats. Pro Football Hall of Fame's Jimmy Johnson, one of the best defensive backs and American college athletes, has passed at the age of 86, per ESPN. This man ravaged offenses from the early 1960s to the mid-1970s. Up to this day, his impact is remembered at UCLA and the NFL.
Jimmy Johnson, a legend of American sports.
Prior to joining the NFL, Jimmy Johnson was one of the best track runners in all of college. After all, he is the brother of Rafer Johnson, and being fast was just normal in their bloodline. His running career took off at UCLA where he notched the 110-meter hurdle championship. This man was so exceptional at this craft that he even got an All-American nod.
With the UCLA football squad, he was able to turn the heads of NFL scouts. His role as a defensive back notched the Bruins a total gain of 812 yards throughout two years. Then, he made the decision to join the big leagues as the 49ers picked him up with the sixth overall pick of the 1961 NFL Draft. From then on, the rest was history for Jimmy Johnson.
He never left the 49ers organization and played for this franchise for a total of 15 seasons while starting in 205 of their 213 games. This squad found their Iron Man because he never logged in less than 11 games for a year. He would always make himself available regardless of physical ailments which led to him playing 14 games in nine of those 15 seasons. Availability was this man's main ability.
Let's talk numbers. The 49ers got their star defensive back in Jimmy Johnson. He had a good acumen for beating out offensive weapons while also analyzing the passes thrown by opposing quarterbacks. This insane skill helped him rack up 47 interceptions throughout his professional stint. Moreover, he also knew how to run when he picked the ball off his rivals. He ended his career with 615 yards off interceptions and even scored a pick-six twice.
Years after his 49ers stint
His career with the 49ers may have not seen him hoist a championship but other accolades showcased his once-in-a-generation talent. Johnson was named to the Pro Bowl five times and honored as an All-Pro thrice. These were clearly enough to put his resume above other defenders who played during his time. It was an obvious choice to then put him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Furthermore, he was also named to the Hall of Fame All-1970s team.
The nods to his greatness did not stop there. His number 37 was retired by the 49ers in 1977. A year later, he was also recognized as one of the greatest athletes to have played for Fresno which is why he is also in their Athletics Hall of Fame. His next honor would not come until 12 years after when the Bay Area Sports of Hall of Fame enshrined him. Not long after, he was then placed in the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson was then immortalized in the hearts of the 49ers faithful back in 2009 where he was honored as a charter inductee in the franchise's Hall of Fame.
A true man of greatness is never forgotten. Thank you for everything, Jimmy!
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