Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
No. 84, 81, 88 | |||||||||||||
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Position: | Wide receiver, Return specialist | ||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
Born: | Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, U.S. | January 27, 1952||||||||||||
Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 170 lb (77 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Chichester (Boothwyn, Pennsylvania) | ||||||||||||
College: | Widener (1971–1973) | ||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 1974 / Round: 15 / Pick: 365 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||||||
William Arthur Johnson (born January 27, 1952), better known as Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, is an American former professional
Early life
Johnson earned the nickname "White Shoes" in high school in the Chichester School District in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, where he dyed his shoes as part of a dare.[1] Johnson attended Division III school Widener College in Pennsylvania, where he was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. As a 5'9", 170-pound sophomore, Johnson was named to the 1972 Associated Press College Division All-American team.[2] Johnson was drafted by the Houston Oilers, in the 15th round of the 1974 NFL draft.
Professional career
Houston Oilers
Johnson joined the Houston Oilers as a
As a kick returner, Johnson returned five punts for touchdowns, along with two kickoffs, in his first four years with the Oilers, and added 12 more touchdowns on offense. He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner in 1975, and was named MVP of the game, during which he returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown. He made another Pro Bowl appearance in 1977. In 1979, he suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss most of the next two seasons and lingered with him for the rest of his career. When he returned in 1980, he was no longer the kick returner, serving only as a backup wide receiver.
CFL and the Atlanta Falcons
Johnson played the 1981 season in the
Coaching career
Johnson is an assistant varsity football coach at Duluth High School in Duluth, Georgia.[5]
Professional softball career
Johnson appeared in 25 games for the
Honors
In 1994, Johnson was selected as the punt returner on the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.[7] His was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.[8][9]
Johnson is the only man selected to the National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team who is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Johnson is one of 29 individuals to be selected to multiple All-Decade teams.[10] On December 17, 2023, Johnson was inducted into the Tennessee Titans Ring of Honor.[11]
Masters Track and Field
Johnson was a star sprinter, and competed in Masters Track and Field after his football career.[12]
References
- ^ "Billy 'White Shoes' Johnson talks about his faith" Victoria Advocate, March 29, 2010
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Gutierrez, Paul (December 28, 2007). "Billy 'White Shoes' Johnson's Funky Chicken to Ocho Cinco's Riverdance, celebrations have become the show within the show". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
- ^ Dufresne, Chris (September 26, 1985). "White Shoes Johnson, Feeling Pinch of NFL, Has to Stop His Dance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
- ^ "Coaching Staff". Duluth High School Football. Archived from the original on August 29, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ^ Crossley, Andy (June 29, 2014). "1978-80 Philadelphia Athletics". Fun While it Lasted. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
- ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p.401
- ^ Terry Toohey, "'White Shoes' dances into Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame", Delaware County Times, November 1, 2018
- ^ "Billy "White Shoes" Johnson (2014) - Widener University Athletics Hall of Fame".
- ^ PFF: Tom Brady is first QB to make two all-decade teams
- ^ "Oilers Legend Billy "White Shoes" Johnson to be Inducted into the Franchise's Ring of Honor on Sunday vs Houston Texans".
- ^ "Fierce competition among friends". Herald & Review. Decatur, Illinois. August 7, 2004. p. 19. Retrieved 2021-12-24 – via Newspapers.com.