Butch Johnson (American football)
Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||
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| Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Susan Miller Dorsey (Los Angeles, California) | ||||||||||
| College: | UC Riverside | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1976 / Round: 3 / Pick: 87 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
| Roster status: | Retired | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||||
Michael McColly "Butch" Johnson (born May 28, 1954) is an American former professional
Early years
Johnson attended
He accepted an athletic scholarship from Division II
In 1975, he led the nation in receiving with 67 catches for 1,027 yards, in just eight games (he missed 2 contests with an injury), while earning All-American honors. The school dropped the football program the year after he graduated. He finished his college career with 139 receptions for 2,106 yards and 17 touchdowns.
In 2012, he was inducted into the UCR Sports Hall of Fame. The next year, he was inducted into the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame.[1]
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Johnson was selected by the
In
In 1978, although he couldn't earn a starting role over Tony Hill, he became the leading punt returner in franchise history while breaking again his single-season record with 51 punt returns and also placed second on the Cowboys all-time kickoff return list. He had another touchdown reception in Super Bowl XIII which the Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, making him the second player in NFL history to score touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowls.
In 1979, he fractured his right little finger in the preseason finale against the Steelers and was forced to miss the first 5 games. With both Hill and Drew Pearson having 1,000-yard seasons, his opportunities were limited. He started in the 15th game against the Philadelphia Eagles in place of an injured Pearson, and caught a deflected 17-yard pass for the decisive touchdown in the playoff-clinching victory. He also stopped returning punts and kickoffs.
In 1981, he started the first 6 games in place of an injured Hill, finishing the season with 25 receptions for 552 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns (tied for the team lead). He also developed a touchdown celebration known as the "California Quake", where he would simulate pulling guns out of holsters and proceed to shoot them and shake. It became one of the most famous individual celebrations in league history, and one of the reasons the NFL banned rehearsed end-zone touchdown celebrations.[3]
In
For a long time he was considered one of the best-backup wide receivers in the NFL,[7] but during his 8 seasons with the Cowboys he could never earn a starter position. As the third receiver during that time, he was primarily known for his acrobatic and clutch receptions. Besides leaving as the second leading punt returner in franchise history, he also was one of two players in club history to rank in the top ten career list in both kickoff and punt return average yards.
Houston Oilers
In 1984, Johnson's outrageous personality and flamboyant on-field antics wore thin with the Houston Oilers very quickly, who after 3 deliberately poor played preseason games, traded him to the Denver Broncos in exchange of a third round draft choice (#58-Tyrone Davis) on August 20.[8]
Denver Broncos
In 1984, he reunited with head coach Dan Reeves who was his offensive coordinator with the Cowboys. He had career highs with 11 starts, 42 receptions (third on the team) for 587 yards (second on the team) and 6 receiving touchdowns (second on the team). Against the New England Patriots, he posted 9 receptions for 156 yards.
The next year, an injury slowed his performance and eventually lost his starting job to Vance Johnson. He registered 8 starts, 19 receptions for 380 yards, a 20-yard average (led the team) and 3 touchdowns, but went 6 weeks late in the season without a single catch. He was released on August 18, 1986.[9]
Johnson played in the NFL for 10 seasons, catching 193 passes for 3,091 yards and 28 touchdowns. He appeared in 5 NFC Championship Games and 2 Super Bowls. He also tied the Super Bowl records for most fumble recoveries in one game and most career fumble recoveries (2).
Personal life
His brother in law was the late singer-songwriter Bill Withers. Former Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke is his second cousin.
References
- ^ "Hall of Fame bio". Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Super Bowl XII: Cowboys XXVII, Broncos X". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Butch Johnson still 'quacking'". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Landry Agrees To Trade Or Release Butch Johnson". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Butch Johnson under the gun in feud of Cowboys receivers". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Cowboys trade Butch Johnson to Houston". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Talented Cowboy Johnson has come long way". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Butch Johnson Pulled one over on the Oilers". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Brocnos waive Butch Johnson". Retrieved February 19, 2018.