AJ Johnson: The NFL’s Most Elusive Running Back
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AJ Johnson was one of the most elusive running backs in the NFL during his playing days. He was known for his ability to make defenders miss and his speed was second to none. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best moments from AJ’s career.
Johnson’s Background
A.J. Johnson is one of the most elusive running backs in the NFL. He grew up in a single-parent household in Atlanta, Georgia and was often times left to fend for himself. Despite the odds, Johnson went on to have a successful career in the NFL. Here’s his story.
His family
Johnson’s father was in the military, so the family moved around a lot. They lived in places like Japan, Alaska, and Florida. Despite the constant moving, Johnson’s parents made sure their children got involved in activities like football, basketball, and track. They also instilled in their children the importance of education. Johnson credits his parents for his work ethic and his love of sports.
His college career
During his college career at the University of Tennessee, Johnson was part of a running back rotation with future NFL running backs Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis. In his junior season in 2002, he ran for 1,500 yards, the second most in school history. As a senior in 2003, he ran for 1,391 yards and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back.
His NFL Career
Johnson was born in Dallas, Texas and was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school. He played college football at the University of Tennessee, where he became the school’s all-time leading rusher. Johnson was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent his first two seasons with the Texans before being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2017.
His years with the Texans
AJ was drafted in the 6th round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. He Spent his first two seasons as a backup to All-Pro running back Arian Foster. In 2011, he rushed for 559 yards and 3 touchdowns on 156 carries, while adding 44 receptions for 367 yards and 2 more touchdowns. His best season came in 2012, when he ran for 1,124 yards and 6 touchdowns on 260 carries, while also catching 36 passes for 358 yards and another touchdown.
In 2013, Johnson was once again relegated to backup duties, this time behind newly-signed running back Ben Tate. He only appeared in 8 games, rushing for 279 yards and 1 touchdown on 78 carries. After Tate suffered a season-ending injury, Johnson took over as the Texans’ starting running back for the final 4 games of the season. He finished the year with 454 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 111 carries.
The Texans released Johnson on March 11, 2014.
His years with the Colts
From 2014 to 2017, Johnson was with the Indianapolis Colts. He was mostly used as a backup and didn’t get much playing time. In 2016, he had his best season with the Colts, rushing for 561 yards on 120 carries with four touchdowns.
In 2018, Johnson became a free agent and signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
His Legacy
Johnson was an All-Pro running back who played for the NFL from 1996 to 2001. He was known for his elusiveness and was considered one of the best running backs of his time. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to a knee injury.
His impact on the game
In a career that spanned just over a decade, AJ Johnson left his mark on the NFL in a big way. A versatile running back, Johnson was a key player on some of the most successful teams in league history, including the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He was also one of the most elusive runners in the game, frequently breaking tackles and making defenders miss.
While his career was ultimately cut short by injuries, Johnson left an indelible mark on the NFL. His impact was felt not just on the field, but off it as well. He was a true pioneer, becoming one of the first African American players to achieve true stardom in the league. His success helped pave the way for future generations of black players to find success in the NFL.
Today, AJ Johnson is remembered as one of the best running backs of his generation. His legacy extends far beyond his on-field accomplishments though. He is also remembered as a true pioneer and trailblazer who helped open up the NFL to black players.
His post-NFL career
After his career in the NFL, Johnson had several jobs. He was a running back coach for his Alma Mater, the University of Florida. He was also a sporting goods salesman and owned a barbershop. Johnson has organized several free football camps for kids in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee. In 2012, he was inducted into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame.
