Chris Johnson (cornerback)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Mario Johnson (born September 25, 1979) is an American football
cornerback
for the Oakland Raiders
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers
in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Louisville
. Johnson previously played for the St. Louis Rams
and Kansas City Chiefs
.
. At Pine Tree High School
, Johnson started in the football team for three years; during his senior season, he intercepted 12 passes and helped the team reach a 7-3 record. Johnson attended Blinn College
in Brenham, Texas
and transferred to the University of Louisville
, where he was a letterwinner for two years and majored in administration of justice
. At Louisville, Johnson had 44 total tackles (32 solo), one tackle for a loss, and seven defended passes. In the 2002 Liberty Bowl, his first-ever major bowl game, Johnson started and intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter to seal the Louisville Cardinals
victory over the BYU Cougars 28-10.
by the Green Bay Packers
.
in exchange for linebacker Robert Thomas
during the 2005 NFL season
. He played in 14 games, starting one and recorded 24 tackles (23 solo). He also had 38 kickoff returns for 857 yards (22.6 avg.) and a 99-yard touchdown return.
during the 2006 off-season but was released before that season.
, picking off quarterback Philip Rivers
while covering wideout Buster Davis. Johnson was named a starter after the Raiders waived cornerback DeAngelo Hall
. He recorded his second career interception when he picked off Kansas City Chiefs
quarterback Tyler Thigpen
.
In 2009, he signed a 4 year, $11.3 million contract with the Oakland Raiders.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Louisville
Louisville Cardinals football
The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship...
. Johnson previously played for the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
and Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
.
Early life and collegiate career
Johnson was born in Gladewater, TexasGladewater, Texas
Gladewater is a city in Gregg and Upshur Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 6,228 at the 2010 census. U.S. Highway 80 traverses the city....
. At Pine Tree High School
Pine Tree High School
Pine Tree High School is a Public School in Longview, Texas . It is part of the Pine Tree Independent School District.Located at 1005 West Fairmont Street, the school serves students in grades nine through twelve.-Student demographics:...
, Johnson started in the football team for three years; during his senior season, he intercepted 12 passes and helped the team reach a 7-3 record. Johnson attended Blinn College
Blinn College
Blinn College is a two-year academic institution based in Brenham, Texas with campuses in Brenham, Bryan, Schulenburg, and Sealy. While the Brenham campus is Blinn's main campus, more than 70% of students attend the Bryan campus....
in Brenham, Texas
Brenham, Texas
Brenham is a city in east-central Texas in Washington County, Texas, United States, with a population of 16,147 according to the 2009 census. It is the county seat of Washington County...
and transferred to the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
, where he was a letterwinner for two years and majored in administration of justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
. At Louisville, Johnson had 44 total tackles (32 solo), one tackle for a loss, and seven defended passes. In the 2002 Liberty Bowl, his first-ever major bowl game, Johnson started and intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter to seal the Louisville Cardinals
Louisville Cardinals football
The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship...
victory over the BYU Cougars 28-10.
Green Bay Packers
Johnson was drafted in the seventh round (245th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
.
St. Louis Rams
Johnson was traded to the St. Louis RamsSt. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
in exchange for linebacker Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas (linebacker)
Robert Wayne Thomas is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams 31st overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at UCLA....
during the 2005 NFL season
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
. He played in 14 games, starting one and recorded 24 tackles (23 solo). He also had 38 kickoff returns for 857 yards (22.6 avg.) and a 99-yard touchdown return.
Kansas City Chiefs
Johnson signed with the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
during the 2006 off-season but was released before that season.
Oakland Raiders
On March 19, 2007, he signed with the Raiders. He played in 13 games at cornerback and special teams, contributing 10 special teams tackles and one solo tackle, two assists and two passes defensed at cornerback. In 2008, after six seasons in the NFL, Johnson recorded his first interception in a game against the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, picking off quarterback Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers played college...
while covering wideout Buster Davis. Johnson was named a starter after the Raiders waived cornerback DeAngelo Hall
DeAngelo Hall
DeAngelo Eugene Hall is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons eighth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
. He recorded his second career interception when he picked off Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
quarterback Tyler Thigpen
Tyler Thigpen
Tyler "Dirty Pigpen" Thigpen is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . Thigpen was drafted out of Coastal Carolina University in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.Tyler Thigpen was the first quarterback to play for...
.
In 2009, he signed a 4 year, $11.3 million contract with the Oakland Raiders.