Johnny Davis (American football)

Last updated

Johnny Davis
No. 38
Position: Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1956-07-17) July 17, 1956 (age 67)
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school: Montgomery (AL) Sidney Lanier
College: Alabama
NFL draft: 1978  / Round: 2 / Pick: 30
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:1,094
Rush attempts:314
Rushing TDs:15
Games played:119
Player stats at PFR

Johnny Lee Davis (born July 17, 1956) is a former American football running back who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1978 to 1987. Davis was a member of the 1981 San Francisco 49ers team that won Super Bowl XVI. He is a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama, and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Contents

High school career

Davis was a team captain as a senior at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a four-year letter winner for coach Bill Joiner as a running back and linebacker. He also made the Coach and Athlete magazine High School All-America Team in 1973, the Birmingham News First-team All-State 1973, All-Class 4A 1973, All-City 1973, and was named Mr. Back in Montgomery. He rushed for 1,152 yards on 250 carries with six touchdowns as a senior. In the AHSAA North-South All-Star Game in 1974, he was named the Most Valuable Back. He also earned five letters in track, competing in discus and shot put.

College career (1974–1978)

Davis played for the University of Alabama under coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant and is one of the legendary "wishbone fullbacks".[ citation needed ] He lettered three of the four years of his college career.[ citation needed ] On November 23, 1977, Coach Bryant called him "the best fullback I've ever coached" in The Tuscaloosa News.[ citation needed ] Nicknamed "Bull", Davis led the Crimson Tide in rushing in three of his four seasons at Alabama, and he ranked third all-time at Alabama with 2,519 career rushing yards on 447 attempts, 5.64 average yards per carry, and 21 touchdowns.[ citation needed ] He was a member of the 2nd Team All-SEC 1975, 2nd Team All-SEC 1976, 2nd Team UPI All-America Team 1977, 1st Team All-SEC 1977, and Alabama Team of the Decade 1970s.[ citation needed ] He was also named to the 1977 Churchmen Hall of Fame All-America Team, which honors players for on-field performance and church work off the field.[ citation needed ] Davis was ABC-TV and Chevrolet Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game vs. Auburn in 1975 when he rushed for 98 yards on 18 carries, the Dixie Howell Memorial Award Winner at the 1975 Spring A-Day Game, and ABC-TV and Chevrolet Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game vs. LSU in 1977 when he rushed for 126 yards on 23 carries.[ citation needed ] He competed in the Orange Bowl, Liberty Bowl, and two Sugar Bowls.[ citation needed ] As a senior, Davis was the top rusher in inaugural match-up vs. Ohio State, with 95 yards on 24 rushing attempts while leading the Crimson Tide to a 38–6 win over the Buckeyes in the 1978 Sugar Bowl.[ citation needed ] He was invited to the 1978 Senior Bowl and named the South's Most Outstanding Offensive Player, leading the South with 109 rushing yards on 23 carries and scoring a touchdown.[ citation needed ] While at Alabama, Davis and Ozzie Newsome were roommates throughout their college careers and remain best friends to this day.[ citation needed ] Davis is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.[ citation needed ]

Alabama school records

Among Alabama school records, Davis ranks ninth in career rushing with 2,519 yards, and is the only fullback in the top ten of all-time rushers, ranking fourth with a career average of 5.64 yards per carry, for those with a minimum of 400 attempts.[ citation needed ] Davis ranks third all-time with a 6.67 yards per carry single-season average, for those with a minimum of 100 attempts, achieved in the 1975 season.[ citation needed ] He led his team in rushing three consecutive years (1975–1977) and is tied for seventh with seven career 100-yard rushing performances.[ citation needed ] He holds the record for most 100-yard rushing performances by a fullback with seven.[ citation needed ] He achieved the longest run from scrimmage in the 1975 season (66-yard TD vs. TCU) and in the 1976 season (58-yard TD vs. LSU).[ citation needed ] He also achieved the most rushing yards in a single game in the 1975 season (155 yards vs. Washington) and the 1977 season (153 yards vs. Vanderbilt).[ citation needed ]

Alabama statistical highlights

Professional career highlights

Davis was selected in the second round of the 1978 NFL draft, 30th overall, by The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[ citation needed ] As a blocking fullback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Davis opened holes for tailback Ricky Bell's best rushing season in 1979, helping his team win the NFC Central Division.[ citation needed ] He played in the 1980 NFC Championship Game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[ citation needed ]

In 1981, Davis played for the San Francisco 49ers, where he won a Super Bowl XVI ring.[ citation needed ] Nicknamed "Goal Line", he averaged a touchdown every 13 times he carried the ball for the 49ers.[ citation needed ] Davis was the first African-American player from the University of Alabama to win a Super Bowl,[ citation needed ] winning Super Bowl XVI in 1981 with the San Francisco 49ers. He was their third leading scorer and third best rusher, scoring a season total of 42 points on 7 TDs.[ citation needed ] He played in all 19 games; five as the starter, and rushed twice for five yards in the Super Bowl. [1] He scored a TD in the 1982 NFC Championship Game, in which the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys.[ citation needed ]

In 1982, he signed with the Cleveland Browns and played alongside his college roommate and best friend Ozzie Newsome. While with the Browns, he was nicknamed the "B1 Bomber".[ citation needed ] He received the "Captain's Award" in 1984, an honor voted by his teammates as the individual representing the essence of being a Cleveland Browns player.[ citation needed ] He played in the 1986 AFC Championship Game with the Cleveland Browns.[ citation needed ] He earned two game balls for special teams play with the Cleveland Browns. He was described in the Cleveland Browns media guide by those who knew him as "unselfish, hard-working and always smiling. B-1 is a powerful blocker and an excellent kickoff coverage man."[ citation needed ] He retired from the NFL in 1988 after ten years. He was a tough inside runner and considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history.[ citation needed ] He played in 119 regular season games, started 32, and had 1,200 yards from scrimmage, 15 rushing touchdowns, 1,094 rushing yards on 314 rushing attempts for 3.5 average yards per carry, along with 22 receptions and 106 receiving yards in his career. [1]

Head coaches

Post-football

Davis worked as an advertising sales manager for 20 years. He [ when? ] is a retired educator, is a motivational speaker and conducts football camps for kids. In addition, Davis is an accomplished professional jazz and gospel pianist. He currently shares a home in an undisclosed location with his longtime soulmate Constance. They have shared a friendship since their college days in Tuscaloosa and reunited when their paths crossed later in life.

He is a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrell Davis</span> American football player (born 1972)

Terrell Lamar Davis is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL) from 1995 to 2001. He is the Broncos all-time leading rusher and still holds the record for most postseason single-season touchdowns (eight), which he achieved in 1997. He is also credited with starting the "Mile High Salute", a celebratory tradition among Denver Broncos players after scoring a touchdown. Davis was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Despite his short seven year tenure, Davis is often regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Craig (American football)</span> American football player (born 1960)

Roger Timothy Craig is an American former football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and Minnesota Vikings. Craig went to four Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls with the 49ers. Craig was the first NFL player to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey are the only other players to have accomplished that feat. He currently works as the VP of Business Development at TIBCO Software.

The National Football League playoffs for the 1989 season began on December 31, 1989. The postseason tournament concluded with the San Francisco 49ers defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV, 55–10, on January 28, 1990, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972–73 NFL playoffs</span> NFL seasonal playoff games

The National Football League playoffs for the 1972 season began on December 23, 1972. The postseason tournament concluded with the Miami Dolphins defeating the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII, 14–7, on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, becoming the only NFL team to finish a championship season undefeated and untied.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Perry (American football)</span> American football player (1927–2011)

Fletcher Joseph Perry was an American professional football fullback who played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL). He played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1948 to 1960, the Baltimore Colts from 1961 to 1962, and returned to the 49ers in 1963 for his final year in football. He was exceptionally fast, a trait uncommon for a fullback and one which earned him the nickname, "the Jet". The first African-American to be named the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP), he became one of American football's first black stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Morris (American football)</span> American football player (born 1960)

Joseph Edward Morris is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants from 1982 to 1988. Initially noted for his diminutive stature — 5' 7", Morris was a key member of the Giants team that won Super Bowl XXI in 1987. He rushed for 67 yards, caught four passes for 20 yards, and scored a touchdown in the game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark van Eeghen</span> American football player (born 1952)

Mark van Eeghen is an American former professional football player who was a running back for ten years in the National Football League (NFL), during which he made two Super Bowl appearances. He played eight seasons for the Oakland Raiders (1974–1981) and then two seasons with the New England Patriots (1982–1983). Van Eeghen rushed for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons from 1976 to 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Pruitt</span> American football player (born 1954)

Michael L. Pruitt is an American former professional football player who was a fullback for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1976 to 1986. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft and spent nine seasons with that club. He had five seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1979 and 1980. He also played for the Buffalo Bills for four games in 1985 and for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1985 and 1986. In his NFL career, Pruitt appeared in a total of 152 games, gained 7,378 rushing yards and scored 56 touchdowns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Darby</span> American football player (born 1982)

Kenneth Darby is a former American football running back. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Darby was also a member of the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams. He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Davis (running back)</span> American football player (born 1956)

Russell Davis, III is a former American football player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peyton Hillis</span> American football player (born 1986)

Peyton Derek Hillis is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). Hillis attended Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas, and was a highly touted recruit. Hillis attended the University of Arkansas where he was primarily used as a fullback. After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Hillis rose to the top of the depth chart as the starting fullback for the Denver Broncos. Due to injuries to the running back corps, he became the starting running back. After spending two years in Denver, Hillis was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2010. In 2011, Hillis won a nationwide vote which put him on the cover of EA Sports' Madden NFL 12 video game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Dixon</span> American football player (born 1987)

Anthony Rishard "Boobie" Dixon is a former American football running back. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football for Mississippi State University, where he holds multiple school rushing records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Coffee</span> American football player (born 1987)

Glenwood Razeem Coffee Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft and played one season before retiring from football in 2010 and serving in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2017. Coffee came out of retirement and was reinstated by the NFL on April 21, 2017. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Ingram II</span> American football player (born 1989)

Mark Valentino Ingram II is an American former football running back and current on-air personality for Fox Sports. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, becoming the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,658 yards in 2009 en route to winning the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Richardson</span> American football player (born 1990)

Trenton Jamond Richardson is an American former professional football player and current Running Backs coach for Ramsey High School in Birmingham, Alabama. He was previously a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Art Davis (American football)</span> American football player and coach (1934–2021)

Arthur Ganong Davis was an American football player who played collegiately at Mississippi State in 1952–55 and for one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Crowell</span> American football player (born 1993)

Isaiah Hassan Crowell is a former American football running back. He played college football at Georgia and Alabama State. Crowell was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Juszczyk</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kyle Patrick Juszczyk is an American football fullback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Harvard Crimson, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malcolm Johnson (fullback)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Malcolm Jamaine Johnson is a former American football fullback. He played college football at Mississippi State and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers.

References

  1. 1 2 "Johnny Davis Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.