James Johnson (Canadian football)

Last updated
James Johnson
No. 19
James Johnson (football player).jpg
Johnson returning an interception for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2007
Date of birth (1980-05-05) May 5, 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Career information
CFL status International
Position(s) DB
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
US college Arkansas State
Career history
As player
2006–2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders
2009 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Career highlights and awards
CFL West All-Star 2007
Awards 2007 Grey Cup MVP

James Johnson (born May 5, 1980) is an American former professional gridiron football player.

Johnson did not play high school football. He started playing for West Los Angeles Junior College, but was not given any equipment until he made the team as a defensive back, after being switched from running back. Arkansas State University then gave him a scholarship.

Johnson was signed as a free agent by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2006, and dressed for a total of 15 games, starting seven at cornerback. His college coach had sent a videotape to former Riders general manager Roy Shivers. "My college coach gave Mr. Shivers a call," said Johnson. "Mr. Shivers didn't really get a chance to see any tape on me, so he decided he was just going to bring me to camp. If I didn't perform he was going to send me home right away. I probably had the best training camp since my first year playing." [1]

Johnson was named the Most Valuable Player of the 95th Grey Cup on Nov 25, 2007 after intercepting a record three passes, including one for a 30-yard touchdown. His defensive efforts helped lead the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 23–19 victory over their CFL Prairie rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers. [2] It was the first time since 1994 that a defensive player was awarded the Grey Cup's top individual title. Johnson received a $10,000 bonus in cash for his efforts.

"I could never imagine this. That's the first time I've ever had three interceptions in a game."

It was only the Roughriders' third national football championship in 15 Grey Cup appearances.

On February 16, 2009, Johnson was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in exchange for a draft pick in the 2011 Canadian College Draft. [3]

Johnson became a free agent on February 15, 2010.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saskatchewan Roughriders</span> Football team based in Regina, Canada

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a professional Canadian football team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Roughriders compete in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member club of the league's West Division.

The 1993 CFL season is considered to be the 40th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 36th Canadian Football League season.

The 1992 CFL season is considered to be the 39th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 35th Canadian Football League season.

The 1990 CFL season is considered to be the 37th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 33rd Canadian Football League season.

The 1989 CFL season is considered to be the 36th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 32nd Canadian Football League season.

The 1986 CFL season is considered to be the 33rd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 29th Canadian Football League season.

The 1984 CFL season is considered to be the 31st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 27th Canadian Football League season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Glenn</span> American gridiron football player (born 1979)

Kevin Glenn, Jr. is a former American professional Canadian football quarterback. He was originally signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football for the Illinois State Redbirds and high school football at Detroit St. Martin de Porres. Glenn is a journeyman quarterback who is the only player to ever have had his rights held by every team in the CFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darian Durant</span> American gridiron football player (born 1982)

Darian Bernard Durant is a former professional Canadian football quarterback. He played college football at the University of North Carolina. By the end of his college career, he held school records for completion percentage, touchdowns, passing yards, total offense and completions. Durant was signed as a free agent by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2006, and became the club's full-time starting quarterback in 2009. He was named a CFL West Division All-Star in 2009 and 2013. Durant was the starting quarterback when the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the 101st Grey Cup in 2013 on their home field. Durant also played for the Montreal Alouettes in 2017. His brother Justin played in the National Football League as a linebacker.

Jovon Johnson is a former professional Canadian football defensive back. He was the winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2011 while with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, becoming the first defensive back to win the award in the league. He is also a two-time CFL All-Star and five-time CFL East Division All-Star. In addition, he was a member of the 2007 Saskatchewan Roughriders that won the Grey Cup, though he spent little time on the active roster and finished the last game on the practice roster. He has also been a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Erie RiverRats, Ottawa Redblacks, and Montreal Alouettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Dinwiddie</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1980)

Ryan Dinwiddie is the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts and is a former professional Canadian football quarterback. After playing college football at Boise State University, he went undrafted and signed with the Chicago Bears, however he was cut from their training camp. Dinwiddie later went on to play professionally for the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe, and also played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Mace</span> Canadian gridiron football player and coach (born 1985)

Corey Mace is the head coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and is a former professional gridiron football defensive tackle. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Wyoming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Hall</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1960)

Richie Hall is a defensive assistant coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played professionally as a Canadian football defensive back for nine seasons for the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders where he was a CFL All-Star in 1983 and a four-time divisional All-Star. He is a five-time Grey Cup champion, once as a player and four times as a defensive coordinator. He was formerly the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos from 2009 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Shologan</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1985)

Keith Shologan is former a defensive tackle in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at UCF. Shologan has also been a member of the San Diego Chargers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottawa Redblacks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Collaros</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Zachary J. Collaros is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Collaros won the 107th Grey Cup and 108th Grey Cup as the starting quarterback with the Blue Bombers when they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in both games. He had previously won the Grey Cup as the backup quarterback with the Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup. Collaros played football at the University of Cincinnati, and has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hénoc Muamba</span> Congolese-Canadian gridiron football player (born 1989)

Hénoc Muamba is a Congolese-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He is a two-time CFL All-Star, three-time CFL Divisional All-Star, and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2017. In 2022, he won the Grey Cup with the Argonauts and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP) and Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian, becoming the second player in history to earn both awards. He has also been a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Indianapolis Colts, Montreal Alouettes, Dallas Cowboys, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Jeff Hecht is a former Canadian football defensive back. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent on May 26, 2011 by the Montreal Alouettes following the 2011 CFL Draft. He played CIS Football with the Saint Mary's Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Jefferson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Willie Hebert Jefferson III is an American professional football defensive end for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Jefferson is a three-time Grey Cup champion, winning with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2015 and twice more with the Blue Bombers in 2019 and 2021. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2019 with the Bombers, and is a five-time CFL All-Star and six-time CFL West All-Star. He has also been a member of the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Jefferson played college football for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and the Baylor Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Webster</span>

Matt Webster is a professional Canadian football defensive back for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He has originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and played with the team for three seasons. He won his first Grey Cup championship as a member of the Argonauts in 2017. He played CIS football for the Queen's Gaels.

Dan West is a Canadian football defensive back. He was initially signed as an undrafted free agent by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 11, 2012 and played for three seasons for the team. After being released by the Blue Bombers during their 2015 training camp, he was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 15, 2015. On June 13, 2016, the Roughriders released West, but he was signed by the Redblacks on June 21, 2016. He earned his first Grey Cup Championship ring in 2016 when the Redblacks beat the Calgary Stampeders in overtime.

References

  1. ↑ "Johnson steps up game and makes history". Canada.com. 27 November 2007. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
  2. ↑ "James Johnson joins Bombers in trade". CBC Sports. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Riders deal defensive back James Johnson to Blue Bombers for 2011 draft pick". The Canadian Press. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2009.[ dead link ]


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.