Ken Johnson (quarterback)

Ken Johnson
Born:	January 5, 1951 (age 73); Montreal Concordes
1983	Denver Gold
1984	Memphis Showboats

Ken Johnson (born January 5, 1951) was an all-star quarterback in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Johnson was a graduate of the

Portland Storm. In June, 1977, Johnson was signed as a free agent by the National Football League's Buffalo Bills. Though he was on the active roster for 14 games, he saw no action with the Bills and was released on August 22, 1978. A month later, Johnson signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League

.

Seeing limited action in 1978, Johnson earned the Stampeders' starting job in 1979. Appearing in all 16 regular season games, Johnson completed 56.4% of his passes (176 of 312) for 2344 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions as he led the Stampeders to a 12-4 record and a CFL playoff berth. Johnson led the CFL in passing for the 1979 season. After falling one win short of the Grey Cup game in 1979, Johnson followed up with another solid season in 1980 setting a career-high in touchdown passes (22) while completing 56.0% of his passes (218 of 389) for 3019 yards. The Stampeders finished 9-7 in 1980 and were eliminated in the first round of the CFL playoffs. The Stampeders slide would continue in 1981, which likely led to Johnson being traded after 12 games to the

Montreal Concordes, in 1982. He appeared in only 2 games before being traded to the Toronto Argonauts

for linebacker Duncan MacKinlay on August 4, 1982.

Granted free agency on January 15, 1983, Johnson returned to the U.S. when he signed with the USFL's Denver Gold five days later. Though starting the season as a backup, Johnson would officially take over the starting job in Week 3 on a snowy Soldier Field in Chicago. Facing bitter cold, 20 mph winds, and

Boston Breakers. Johnson finished the season completing 48.8% of his passes (121 of 248) for 1115 yards, and 6 touchdowns. The Gold released Johnson on January 9, 1984, and was awarded on waivers to the Memphis Showboats

on January 16, 1984. Johnson saw limited action as a backup to Walter Lewis during the 1984 season and retired prior to the 1985 season.

References

1984 Sporting News Official USFL Guide and Register, edited by Howard Balzer

Authority control databases
International	VIAF
National	United States