Levi Johnson

Last updated

Levi Johnson
No. 23
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1950-10-30) October 30, 1950 (age 73)
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school: Roy Miller (TX)
College: Texas A&I
NFL draft: 1973  / Round: 3 / Pick: 75
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:21
Interception yards:549
Fumble recoveries:4
Total TDs:5
Player stats at PFR

Levi Johnson (born October 30, 1950) is a former American football cornerback who played five seasons for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL). He had 21 interceptions in less than five years as an NFL player, returning three for touchdowns. [1]

Johnson led the Lions with five interceptions during the 1973 NFL season [2] and the 1974 NFL season, returning two for touchdowns in 1974, including one on Thanksgiving Day against the Denver Broncos. [3]

He added another touchdown during the 1975 NFL season against the Green Bay Packers. During the season-opener, he blocked two punts and fell on one in the end zone for the score. Teammate Larry Ball picked up Johnson's other blocked punt and returned it 34 yards for another touchdown. [4]

Johnson had a career-high six interceptions in 1976, and was second on the team that season, one behind James Hunter. [5] He also scored the final touchdown of his career, picking off Jim Zorn of the expansion Seattle Seahawks and returning it 70 yards for the score. [6]

Johnson had two interceptions in the 1977 NFL season's third game, against the Philadelphia Eagles, but sustained a knee injury and never played again in the NFL. [7]

Related Research Articles

John Willard Hadl was an American football quarterback who played in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) for 16 years. He won an AFL championship with the San Diego Chargers in 1963. Hadl was named an AFL All-Star four times and was selected to two Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yale Lary</span> American football player, businessman, and politician (1930–2017)

Robert Yale Lary Sr. was an American professional football player, businessman, and politician. He played for 11 seasons as a safety, punter and return specialist for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and was also selected for the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Dudley</span> American football player (1921–2010)

William McGarvey Dudley, nicknamed "Bullet Bill", was an American football halfback, safety and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Detroit Lions, and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Christiansen</span> American football player and coach (1928–1986)

Jack LeRoy Christiansen was an American professional football player who became a college and pro coach. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions as a safety and return specialist from 1951 to 1958. He helped lead the Lions to three NFL championships in 1952, 1953, and 1957 and was a first-team All-NFL player in six of his eight years in the league. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1953 and 1957 and in punt returns for touchdown in 1951, 1952, 1954, and 1956. His eight career punt returns for touchdowns was an NFL record until 1989 and remains the fourth best in league history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Brown (cornerback)</span> American football player and coach (1953–2006)

David Steven Brown was an American professional football player who was a cornerback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1975), Seattle Seahawks (1976–1986), and Green Bay Packers (1987–1989). He was selected as a second-team All-NFL player in 1984 and a second-team All-AFC player in 1985. His 62 career interceptions ranks tied for tenth in NFL history, with only five players having more interceptions in a career since his career ended in 1989. His 50 interceptions with the Seahawks remains a club record.

Lemar R. Parrish is an American former football cornerback and return specialist who played in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals (1970–1977), the Washington Redskins (1978–1982) and the Buffalo Bills (1982). He played college football for the Lincoln Blue Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Doll</span> American football player and coach (1926–2010)

Donald LeRoy Doll, also known as Don Burnside, was an American football player and coach.

The Minnesota Vikings is an American football franchise based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team was established in 1961 and is part of the National Football League's NFC North division. Since then, the team has taken part in the NFL playoffs 31 times, reaching four Super Bowls in 1970, 1974, 1975 and 1977.

Leonard Irwin Thompson was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), spending his entire career with the Detroit Lions (1975–1986).

Robert Herber Parsons was an American football punter and tight end who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Chicago Bears from 1972 to 1983 and later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Studstill</span> American football player (1938–2021)

Patrick Lewis Studstill Jr. was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver, punter and return specialist. He played 12 years in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions (1961–1967), Los Angeles Rams (1968–1971), and New England Patriots (1972). He led the NFL with 457 punt return yards in 1962. In 1966, he led the league in both receiving yards (1,266) and punting yards (3,259). He also tied an NFL record in 1966 with a 99-yard touchdown reception.

The 1976 New England Patriots season was the franchise's 7th season in the National Football League and 17th overall.

George William Hoey is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back, punt returner and kickoff returner in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines (1966–1968) and in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals (1971), New England Patriots (1972–1973), San Diego Chargers (1974), Denver Broncos (1975), and New York Jets (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 San Diego Chargers season</span> 1975 NFL team season

The 1975 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's sixth season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 16th overall. The team were seeking to improve on their 5–9 record in 1974, but they lost their first eleven games amidst attendances under 30,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989 Detroit Lions season</span> NFL team season

The 1989 season was the Detroit Lions' 60th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 56th as the Detroit Lions, and their first full season under head coach Wayne Fontes. The team improved upon their 4–12 record from the previous season, falling to 2–9 before winning out to finish at 7–9. It was the Lions' sixth consecutive losing season, failing to reach the postseason for each of those seasons.

The 1953 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 24th season in the National Football League. The Lions won their second consecutive and third overall National Football League (NFL) championship. In their fourth year under head coach Buddy Parker, the Lions compiled a 10–2 record during the regular season, outscored opponents 271 to 205, finished in first place in the NFL's Western Division, and defeated the Cleveland Browns 17–16 in the NFL Championship Game at Briggs Stadium in Detroit.

The 1952 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 23rd season in the National Football League. The Lions won their second National Football League (NFL) championship, having won their first championship 17 years earlier in 1935. The team's co-captains were halfback Robert Hoernschemeyer and defensive tackle John Prchlik, and defensive end Jim Doran was selected as the team's most valuable player. In their third year under head coach Buddy Parker, the 1952 Lions compiled a 9–3 record during the regular season, finished in a tie with the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFL's National Conference, defeated the Rams in a tiebreaker game, and defeated the Cleveland Browns, 17–7, in the 1952 NFL Championship Game at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1934 Detroit Lions season</span> NFL team season

The 1934 Detroit Lions season was the fifth in franchise history and the first in Detroit; the franchise had previously played as the Portsmouth Spartans in Portsmouth, Ohio, a city with a population of approximately 40,000. Under head coach Potsy Clark, the Lions won their first ten games then lost three straight in an eight-day span to end the season at 10–3. They finished in second place in the NFL Western Division, three games behind the undefeated Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1974 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1974 Big Ten Conference football season. In their sixth year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–1 record, outscored opponents 324 to 75, and were ranked #3 in final AP Poll. Michigan won the first ten games of the 1974 season in convincing fashion, including blowout victories over Colorado (31-0), Navy (52-0), Minnesota (49-0), and Purdue (51-0). In the final game of the season, #2 Michigan faced #3 Ohio State. The Wolverines lost by a score of 12-10, as place-kicker Mike Lantry missed a last-minute field goal that would have given Michigan a victory.

References

  1. "Levi Johnson Stats, News and Video - DB".
  2. "1973 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players".
  3. "End of an era". Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  4. Rogers, Thomas (September 22, 1975). "4 Field Goals Help Cowboys Win, 18‐7". The New York Times.
  5. "1976 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players".
  6. Grosky, Reid (October 25, 1976). "Bengal Defense Excels in 27‐7 Defeat of Oilers". The New York Times.
  7. Wallace, William N. (October 4, 1977). "Allen's 'Worn Out' Redskins Thrive". The New York Times.