Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson, who starred prominently with the San Francisco 49ers, died this week. He was 86.
Johnson is one of the most celebrated players of the pre-merger era.
San Francisco announced Johnson’s passing with a social media post on Thursday afternoon.
“The 49ers are saddened to learn of the passing of Jimmy Johnson. Our organization sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the team said.
Johnson played for the 49ers from 1961-1975. The 49ers drafted him sixth overall in the 1961 NFL Draft out of UCLA. During his illustrious career, he earned eight All-Pro selections – four First Team selections and four Second Team selections. He was voted to the Pro Bowl five times and earned a spot on the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.
The 49ers later enshrined him in their team’s Hall of Fame and retired his No. 37 jersey. In 1994, the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened its doors for Johnson, inducting the celebrated defensive back.
In his playing career, he earned 47 career interceptions and two pick-sixes. He also played wide receiver, where he caught four receiving touchdowns in his career.
Many in the NFL world mourned his passing after the news emerged. We, too, send our condolences to the Johnson family.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022