Chris Johnson (running back)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Duan Johnson (born September 23, 1985) is an American football
running back
for the Tennessee Titans
of the National Football League
. Johnson has become one of the league's premier players, and a Pro Bowl
starter in his first three seasons.
Unheralded out of Orlando, Florida
, Johnson emerged as a senior at East Carolina
where he broke out for 2,960 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Titans 24th overall in 2008, after running a record-tying 4.24 sec in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine
. In his second year of professional football, he won the NFL rushing title with 2,006 yards (only the sixth player ever to break 2,000), and broke Marshall Faulk
's record of total yards from scrimmage
with 2,509. He was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2009.
at Olympia High School in Orlando until breaking his leg his senior year. Johnson was also a track star at Olympia High. In his senior year, he finished second in the 100 metres
at the 2004 Florida 4A state championships behind 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix
. In addition, Johnson also finished his senior season posting personal bests of 10.50 (the nation's 10th fastest in 2004) and 21.30 (the nation's 24th fastest in 2004) in the 100 metres
and 200 metres
respectively. His junior year he qualified for the finals of the Florida State meet with a preliminary time of 10.83. Walter Dix won the event with a 10.46 in the finals, Johnson placed 4th with a time of 10.66.
Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com
, Johnson was not ranked among the nation's top running back prospects in 2004. He selected East Carolina over Eastern Kentucky
and UConn
.
All-Freshman squad as a running back. He recorded a reception in 10 straight games which was a team-best. He finished the season with 561 yards rushing and 765 yards on kick returns for 1,562 all-purpose yards, all team-highs. He finished the season by being ranked 24th in the nation for all-purpose yardage, and also rushed for five touchdowns. He finished the season with eight school game or season records for a freshman and finished the year with 32 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns, second on the team. In his collegiate debut, against West Virginia
, Johnson returned five kickoffs for a total of 100 yards. Against the Louisville Cardinals
, Johnson returned seven kickoffs for 132 yards. In a victory over Tulane
, he set season-highs with 31 carries for 158 yards and two scores. Against USF
, Johnson totaled 212 all-purpose yards and scored ECU's only offensive touchdown on an 18-yard reception. In the season finale against NCSU
, Johnson totaled a season-high 144 kickoff yards.
game, Johnson returned four kickoffs for 100 yards. The Rice
victory, Johnson totaled 129 receiving yards, including an 81-yard touchdown reception. His 100-yard receiving game teamed-up with Aundrae Allison
's 109 yards marked the first dual 100-yard receiving game since 1999 for the Pirates. In the Tulsa
game, Johnson did not record a reception which ended his consecutive streak at 18 games. However, in the following game against Marshall
, Johnson carried the ball 18 times for 106 yards and a career-high 3 touchdowns.
, Johnson only recorded 54 all-purpose yards with one rushing touchdown. In the UAB game, Johnson had 112 all-purpose yards. In the Memphis
game, Johnson recorded his only 100-yard rushing game with 106 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns. He finished the game with 180 all-purpose yards. Johnson had a foot injury that limited his action in the West Virginia game, and caused him to miss the Virginia
game. In the SMU
game, Johnson returned a kickoff for a career-long 51 yards. Then, in the Southern Miss game, Johnson recorded 136 all-purpose yards that included a 96 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, his second career return touchdown. The return also made national recognition on ESPN
's top plays. Against Rice, Johnson carried the ball 12 times for 83 yards.
After an average junior season, Johnson entered his senior season as a preseason All-Conference USA first-team as a return specialist. However, he finished the season as a first-team selection as returner and second-team selection as a running back. Johnson began the season with a rushing score in the 7-17 loss to Virginia Tech
. He followed that performance up with a career-high 136 yards on 5 receptions for two touchdowns, including a 78 yard touchdown reception, and also a rushing touchdown against North Carolina
. In the 48-7 loss to West Virginia, Johnson rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries and also scored ECU's only touchdown of the game. After a slow start rushing on the season, Johnson rushed for 147 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns against Houston
in the 37-35 victory. In the Central Florida
victory, Johnson rushed for 89 yards with two scores, caught 5 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and returned four kickoffs for 194 yards with a 96-yard touchdown return. He finished the game with a then career-high 272 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. The next game, against UTEP
, Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 23 carries. Then, in the 56–40 victory over Memphis, Johnson rushed for a career-high 301 yards and four touchdowns. He also had four kick returns for 95 yards for a then career-high 396 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in the game. In the following loss to Marshall, Johnson rushed for 72 yards and a score and 45 receiving yards for a total of 117 all-purpose yards. Then in the 35–12 victory over Tulane, Johnson rushed for 155 yards on 27 carries for two scores and caught four passes for 85 yards and another score for 240 all-purpose yards and three scores.
In Johnson's final collegiate game, the 2007 Hawai'i Bowl
against Boise State
, Johnson rushed for 223 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown as the Pirates won, 41–38. Johnson also had three receptions for 32 yards and a score and had six kick returns for 153 yards for a career-high and NCAA FBS record of 408 all-purpose yards and two scores.
. However, at the combine he registered a 4.24-second time and tied the all-time mark set by Rondel Melendez, a wide receiver
from Eastern Kentucky
, in 1999—the first year the combine used electronic timers. Johnson was also fifth highest among running backs in the vertical jump
with a 35-inch jump. His 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump was third best among the running backs.
in the first round (24th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft
He wore the number twenty nine until the next season. He was the highest East Carolina player selected in the NFL Draft since Robert Jones
went 24th overall in the 1992 NFL Draft
.
On July 26, he signed a five-year, $12 million contract with $7 million guaranteed.
He had his professional debut with the Tennessee Titans on September 7, 2008 where he played in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which the Titans won 17-10. Johnson rushed for 93 yards on 15 carries and had 3 receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. In only his second career game, Johnson ran for 109 yards on 19 carries, including a 51 yard run, and 2 receptions for 12 yards.
On September 28, Johnson rushed for the first touchdown of his career against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson finished the game with 75 all-purpose yards (61 rushing, 14 receiving) and 2 TD's. In only his 6th NFL Game Johnson rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown on only 18 carries against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 19, 2008. Chris Johnson finished the season with 1,228 yards on 251 carries for a 4.9 ypc and 43 receptions for 260 yards and 10 total TDs in 15 games. He led all rookies in rushing yards per game with 81.9 ypg.
Johnson finished second in AP rookie of the year voting to Matt Ryan
and was elected to the 2009 Pro Bowl
.
Johnson split carries with RB LenDale White for the duration of the 2008 season. White finished the 2008 season with 773 yards on 200 carries for a 3.9 ypc and 15 rushing touchdowns. They nicknamed this RB tandem "Smash and Dash." Smash referred to White due to his power, and Dash referred to Johnson due to his unusual quickness and speed. Entering into the 2009 season, however, Johnson dismissed the nickname of "Smash and Dash" and named himself "Every Coach's Dream."
. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry and 125.4 yards per game to lead the league. He had 2,509 total yards from scrimmage
, breaking Marshall Faulk
's single-season record. He was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. After his 2009 season, the media referred to him as "CJ2K".
took on the Oakland Raiders
at LP Field
. Chris Johnson scored on a 76 yard TD run in the second quarter and again on a 4 yard run in the third. Johnson had a slow start to the game but ended it with 142 yards on 27 carries with a yard per carry average of 5.3 yards.
The next week the Titans took on the Pittsburgh Steelers
. The Steelers ended Johnson's streak of 100 yard games and limited him to only 34 yards. He did have an 85 yard touchdown run but it was called back on a holding penalty.
The Titans then took on the New York Giants
. Johnson had 124 yards on 34 carries. He would next have yet another 100 yard game against the Dallas Cowboys
gaining 131 yards on 19 carries along with two touchdowns one of which ended up being the game winner with 3:28 left. After dreadful performances against the Houston Texans
and Jacksonville Jaguars
, Johnson bounced back to rush for 110 yard and 1 TD against the Colts. On January 14, 2011, Johnson was selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl
, his third in three years.
In early November a report surfaced making light of the possibility that Johnson could be released by the Titans prior to the fifth day of the 2012 league year, which begins every March. At the time of the report, Johnson was having the worst season his career with just 302 rushing yards and one touchdown on 107 carries through the season's first seven games. Johnson's contract calls for an $8 million salary in 2012 that becomes guaranteed in March; he also will receive a guaranteed salary of $9 million once the fifth day of the 2013 league year passes. Should the Titans release Johnson prior the March 2012 deadline they would save $17 million and Johnson would thus become a free agent.
called Flashy Lifestyle Entertainment. Chris Johnson said the following statement about the label, "Actually, we [Kenny Turner] grew up together, that’s my best friend. The label has actually been out close to a year, but at first it was called Fast Money Ent, so I like I said, we switched it over too Flashy Lifestyle Ent." Chris Johnson released a song on his twitter called "Act on Deck" for his fans during the 2011 offseason. Josh Katzowitz from CBS Sports
gave the following statement about the song, "To me, it sounds a little like Ludacris
, but admittedly, I have no idea what I’m talking about. It also sounds like the track is incomplete, considering it just kind of fades out, but maybe that’s the point."
"Flashy Lifestyle Entertainment is a hip-hop label that I started with Kenny Turner," Johnson told publicists Jonathan Hay and Justin Melo for SOHH
. "We have four different solo artists and one group on the label that all go hard. The solo artists go by the names of Pressure Dommer, Lil EZ, Ballie and Stakkhouse." Chris Johnson also added the following statement to SOHH
, "Music is always something I wanted to somehow be a part of," he added "I always wanted to be a rapper or be involved with the rap industry in some sort of fashion. Flashy Lifestyle and the artists that we have -- have given me the opportunity to finally do that."
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...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
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...
. Johnson has become one of the league's premier players, and a Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
starter in his first three seasons.
Unheralded out of Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, Johnson emerged as a senior at East Carolina
East Carolina Pirates football
The East Carolina Pirates is a college football team that represents East Carolina University . The team is currently a member of the Conference USA, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association .The Pirates have won seven conference championships and...
where he broke out for 2,960 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Titans 24th overall in 2008, after running a record-tying 4.24 sec in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine
NFL Combine
The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general...
. In his second year of professional football, he won the NFL rushing title with 2,006 yards (only the sixth player ever to break 2,000), and broke Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk
Marshall William Faulk is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He is currently an analyst for NFL Total Access, Thursday Night Football, and NFL GameDay Morning on the NFL Network...
's record of total yards from scrimmage
Yards from scrimmage
Yards from scrimmage is an American football and Canadian football statistical measure. In the game of football, progress is measured by advancing the football towards the opposing team's goal line. Progress can be made during play by the offensive team by advancing the ball from the its point of...
with 2,509. He was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2009.
Early years
Johnson played high school footballHigh school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
at Olympia High School in Orlando until breaking his leg his senior year. Johnson was also a track star at Olympia High. In his senior year, he finished second in the 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
at the 2004 Florida 4A state championships behind 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix
Walter Dix
Walter Dix is an American sprinter who specializes in the 100 meters and 200 meters. He is the fourth fastest 200 m runner ever with a best of 19.53 seconds, and has broken the 10-second barrier in the 100 m with a best of 9.88 seconds.Dix was a highly successful amateur...
. In addition, Johnson also finished his senior season posting personal bests of 10.50 (the nation's 10th fastest in 2004) and 21.30 (the nation's 24th fastest in 2004) in the 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
and 200 metres
200 metres
A 200 metres race is a sprint running event. On an outdoor 400 m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. A slightly shorter race, called the stadion and run on a straight track, was the first...
respectively. His junior year he qualified for the finals of the Florida State meet with a preliminary time of 10.83. Walter Dix won the event with a 10.46 in the finals, Johnson placed 4th with a time of 10.66.
Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
, Johnson was not ranked among the nation's top running back prospects in 2004. He selected East Carolina over Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
and UConn
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
.
2004 season
Johnson made an immediate impact in all 11 games, as he eventually started 7 games on the season. He finished the season on the Conference USAConference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
All-Freshman squad as a running back. He recorded a reception in 10 straight games which was a team-best. He finished the season with 561 yards rushing and 765 yards on kick returns for 1,562 all-purpose yards, all team-highs. He finished the season by being ranked 24th in the nation for all-purpose yardage, and also rushed for five touchdowns. He finished the season with eight school game or season records for a freshman and finished the year with 32 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns, second on the team. In his collegiate debut, against West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
, Johnson returned five kickoffs for a total of 100 yards. Against the Louisville Cardinals
2004 Louisville Cardinals football team
The 2004 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 2004 college football season. The team, led by Bobby Petrino in his second year at the school, played their home games in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium...
, Johnson returned seven kickoffs for 132 yards. In a victory over Tulane
Tulane Green Wave football
The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned...
, he set season-highs with 31 carries for 158 yards and two scores. Against USF
South Florida Bulls football
The South Florida Bulls are a Division I FBS college football program that plays its home games in Tampa, Florida. The team began playing in 1997, holding its first team meeting under a shade tree as the school had no proper football facilities on campus...
, Johnson totaled 212 all-purpose yards and scored ECU's only offensive touchdown on an 18-yard reception. In the season finale against NCSU
NC State Wolfpack football
The NC State Wolfpack football team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Wolfpack currently compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference....
, Johnson totaled a season-high 144 kickoff yards.
2005 season
After his memorable freshman season, Johnson started all 11 games at tailback in his sophomore season. He led the team with 684 yards on 176 carries and six touchdowns, while also recording 35 receptions for 356 yards and two scores and 459 kickoff return yards. He was also the team leader with 1,499 all-purpose yards and set a school record with 67 career receptions as a running back. Against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Johnson rushed for 92 yards on 22 carries, both team highs. In the Southern MississippiSouthern Miss Golden Eagles football
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles football program represents the University of Southern Mississippi in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Eagles are members of Conference USA and player their home games at M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi...
game, Johnson returned four kickoffs for 100 yards. The Rice
Rice Owls football
The Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in NCAA Division I college football. The Owls have competed in Conference USA's Western Division since 2005. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games.-Venue:...
victory, Johnson totaled 129 receiving yards, including an 81-yard touchdown reception. His 100-yard receiving game teamed-up with Aundrae Allison
Aundrae Allison
Aundrae Akeem Allison is an American football wide receiver for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at East Carolina.He has also been a member of the New York Jets, and...
's 109 yards marked the first dual 100-yard receiving game since 1999 for the Pirates. In the Tulsa
Tulsa Golden Hurricane football
The University of Tulsa's Golden Hurricane football team represents Tulsa in Conference USA. Tulsa is currently coached by first-year head coach Bill Blankenship. The football team was coached by Todd Graham until he accepted the head coaching job at Pittsburgh....
game, Johnson did not record a reception which ended his consecutive streak at 18 games. However, in the following game against Marshall
Marshall Thundering Herd football
The Marshall Thundering Herd football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Marshall University. The team represents the university as a member of the Conference USA Eastern division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision...
, Johnson carried the ball 18 times for 106 yards and a career-high 3 touchdowns.
2006 season
After missing spring practice due to neck surgery, Johnson returned in his junior season with 972 all-purpose yards. In the down season, Johnson totaled 314 rushing yards, 176 receiving yards, and 482 kickoff return yards. He played in 12 games on the season but only made 5 starts. He was selected to the All-Conference USA first-team as a return specialist after the season. He also broke the school career record for receiving yards as a running back with 768 yards, but only had one 100-yard rushing game on the year and only had four rushing scores. In the season opener, against NavyNavy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
, Johnson only recorded 54 all-purpose yards with one rushing touchdown. In the UAB game, Johnson had 112 all-purpose yards. In the Memphis
Memphis Tigers football
The Memphis Tigers football team represents the University of Memphis in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Tigers compete in Conference USA...
game, Johnson recorded his only 100-yard rushing game with 106 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns. He finished the game with 180 all-purpose yards. Johnson had a foot injury that limited his action in the West Virginia game, and caused him to miss the Virginia
2006 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2006 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach was coach Al Groh...
game. In the SMU
SMU Mustangs football
The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA...
game, Johnson returned a kickoff for a career-long 51 yards. Then, in the Southern Miss game, Johnson recorded 136 all-purpose yards that included a 96 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, his second career return touchdown. The return also made national recognition on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's top plays. Against Rice, Johnson carried the ball 12 times for 83 yards.
2007 season
2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
. He followed that performance up with a career-high 136 yards on 5 receptions for two touchdowns, including a 78 yard touchdown reception, and also a rushing touchdown against North Carolina
2007 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
The 2007 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina in the 2007 college football season. The team was led by first year coach Butch Davis.-Previous season:...
. In the 48-7 loss to West Virginia, Johnson rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries and also scored ECU's only touchdown of the game. After a slow start rushing on the season, Johnson rushed for 147 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns against Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
in the 37-35 victory. In the Central Florida
2007 UCF Knights football team
The 2007 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach is George O'Leary...
victory, Johnson rushed for 89 yards with two scores, caught 5 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and returned four kickoffs for 194 yards with a 96-yard touchdown return. He finished the game with a then career-high 272 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. The next game, against UTEP
2007 UTEP Miners football team
The 2007 UTEP Miners football team represented the University of Texas at El Paso in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's head football coach was Mike Price. The Miners played their home games at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas....
, Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 23 carries. Then, in the 56–40 victory over Memphis, Johnson rushed for a career-high 301 yards and four touchdowns. He also had four kick returns for 95 yards for a then career-high 396 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in the game. In the following loss to Marshall, Johnson rushed for 72 yards and a score and 45 receiving yards for a total of 117 all-purpose yards. Then in the 35–12 victory over Tulane, Johnson rushed for 155 yards on 27 carries for two scores and caught four passes for 85 yards and another score for 240 all-purpose yards and three scores.
In Johnson's final collegiate game, the 2007 Hawai'i Bowl
2007 Hawai'i Bowl
The 2007 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Boise State University Broncos from the Western Athletic Conference and the East Carolina University Pirates from Conference USA at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 23, 2007...
against Boise State
2007 Boise State Broncos football team
The 2007 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2007 college football season. The Broncos, led by second year head coach Chris Petersen, play their home games at Bronco Stadium, most famous for its blue artificial turf surface, often referred to as the...
, Johnson rushed for 223 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown as the Pirates won, 41–38. Johnson also had three receptions for 32 yards and a score and had six kick returns for 153 yards for a career-high and NCAA FBS record of 408 all-purpose yards and two scores.
College statistics
Source: http://www.webcitation.org/62vw4HjpN| Rushing | Receiving | Kick Returns | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | Att | Yds | Avg | Yds/G | Long | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Long | TD | KR | YDS | AVG | Long | TD |
| 2004 | ECU | 11 | 134 | 561 | 4.2 | 51.0 | 86 | 5 | 32 | 236 | 7.4 | 29 | 2 | 37 | 765 | 20.7 | 39 | 0 |
| 2005 | ECU | 11 | 176 | 684 | 3.9 | 62.2 | 39 | 6 | 35 | 356 | 10.2 | 81 | 2 | 21 | 459 | 21.9 | 43 | 0 |
| 2006 | ECU | 12 | 78 | 314 | 4.0 | 26.2 | 43 | 4 | 21 | 176 | 8.4 | 17 | 0 | 22 | 482 | 21.9 | 96 | 1 |
| 2007 | ECU | 13 | 236 | 1,423 | 6.0 | 109.5 | 70 | 17 | 37 | 528 | 14.3 | 78 | 6 | 36 | 1,009 | 28.0 | 96 | 1 |
| Total | 47 | 624 | 2,982 | 4.8 | 63.4 | 86 | 32 | 125 | 1,296 | 10.4 | 81 | 10 | 116 | 2,715 | 23.4 | 96 | 2 | |
2008 NFL Draft
Prior to the NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson was projected a second to third round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. However, at the combine he registered a 4.24-second time and tied the all-time mark set by Rondel Melendez, a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
from Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, in 1999—the first year the combine used electronic timers. Johnson was also fifth highest among running backs in the vertical jump
Vertical jump
A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is...
with a 35-inch jump. His 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump was third best among the running backs.
2008 season
Johnson was drafted by the Tennessee TitansTennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
in the first round (24th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
He wore the number twenty nine until the next season. He was the highest East Carolina player selected in the NFL Draft since Robert Jones
Robert Jones (American football)
Robert Lee Jones is a former American football linebacker who played 10 seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, the St...
went 24th overall in the 1992 NFL Draft
1992 NFL Draft
The 1992 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 26–27, 1992. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft...
.
On July 26, he signed a five-year, $12 million contract with $7 million guaranteed.
He had his professional debut with the Tennessee Titans on September 7, 2008 where he played in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which the Titans won 17-10. Johnson rushed for 93 yards on 15 carries and had 3 receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. In only his second career game, Johnson ran for 109 yards on 19 carries, including a 51 yard run, and 2 receptions for 12 yards.
On September 28, Johnson rushed for the first touchdown of his career against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson finished the game with 75 all-purpose yards (61 rushing, 14 receiving) and 2 TD's. In only his 6th NFL Game Johnson rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown on only 18 carries against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 19, 2008. Chris Johnson finished the season with 1,228 yards on 251 carries for a 4.9 ypc and 43 receptions for 260 yards and 10 total TDs in 15 games. He led all rookies in rushing yards per game with 81.9 ypg.
Johnson finished second in AP rookie of the year voting to Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and was elected to the 2009 Pro Bowl
2009 Pro Bowl
The 2009 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2008 season. It was played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 8, 2009. This was the last time that a Pro Bowl game was held after the NFL Super Bowl game...
.
Johnson split carries with RB LenDale White for the duration of the 2008 season. White finished the 2008 season with 773 yards on 200 carries for a 3.9 ypc and 15 rushing touchdowns. They nicknamed this RB tandem "Smash and Dash." Smash referred to White due to his power, and Dash referred to Johnson due to his unusual quickness and speed. Entering into the 2009 season, however, Johnson dismissed the nickname of "Smash and Dash" and named himself "Every Coach's Dream."
2009 season
Some consider the 2009 season of Chris Johnson to be one of the best ever in NFL history for a Running Back. He rushed for 2,006 yards to become one of only six players in NFL history to be in the 2000 rushing yards club2000 rushing yards club
In the National Football League, there have been six running backs in the history of the league that have run for at least 2,000 yards in a single season. O. J. Simpson of the Buffalo Bills was the first player to accomplish the feat, rushing for 2,003 yards in 1973...
. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry and 125.4 yards per game to lead the league. He had 2,509 total yards from scrimmage
Yards from scrimmage
Yards from scrimmage is an American football and Canadian football statistical measure. In the game of football, progress is measured by advancing the football towards the opposing team's goal line. Progress can be made during play by the offensive team by advancing the ball from the its point of...
, breaking Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk
Marshall William Faulk is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He is currently an analyst for NFL Total Access, Thursday Night Football, and NFL GameDay Morning on the NFL Network...
's single-season record. He was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. After his 2009 season, the media referred to him as "CJ2K".
2010 season
To start the 2010 NFL Season the Tennessee TitansTennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
took on 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...
at LP Field
LP Field
LP Field is a football stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County....
. Chris Johnson scored on a 76 yard TD run in the second quarter and again on a 4 yard run in the third. Johnson had a slow start to the game but ended it with 142 yards on 27 carries with a yard per carry average of 5.3 yards.
The next week the Titans took on the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. The Steelers ended Johnson's streak of 100 yard games and limited him to only 34 yards. He did have an 85 yard touchdown run but it was called back on a holding penalty.
The Titans then took on the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Johnson had 124 yards on 34 carries. He would next have yet another 100 yard game against the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
gaining 131 yards on 19 carries along with two touchdowns one of which ended up being the game winner with 3:28 left. After dreadful performances against the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Johnson bounced back to rush for 110 yard and 1 TD against the Colts. On January 14, 2011, Johnson was selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl
2011 Pro Bowl
The 2011 AFC–NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2010 season. It took place at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii...
, his third in three years.
2011 season
During the summer training camp prior to the 2011 season, Johnson initially did not show up to camp, pending contract negotiations. Johnson felt he was due a considerably larger sum of money. As the leading rusher since 2008 (4,598 yards) he was set to make $1.065 million in 2011, under existing contract terms (approximately 10% of the money paid to the second place rusher for the same period). On September 1, Johnson became the highest paid running back, agreeing to a four-year, $53.5 million contract extension, including $30 million guaranteed, with the Titans, ending his holdout.In early November a report surfaced making light of the possibility that Johnson could be released by the Titans prior to the fifth day of the 2012 league year, which begins every March. At the time of the report, Johnson was having the worst season his career with just 302 rushing yards and one touchdown on 107 carries through the season's first seven games. Johnson's contract calls for an $8 million salary in 2012 that becomes guaranteed in March; he also will receive a guaranteed salary of $9 million once the fifth day of the 2013 league year passes. Should the Titans release Johnson prior the March 2012 deadline they would save $17 million and Johnson would thus become a free agent.
Music career
Chris Johnson and his best friend Kenny Turner started a record labelRecord label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
called Flashy Lifestyle Entertainment. Chris Johnson said the following statement about the label, "Actually, we [Kenny Turner] grew up together, that’s my best friend. The label has actually been out close to a year, but at first it was called Fast Money Ent, so I like I said, we switched it over too Flashy Lifestyle Ent." Chris Johnson released a song on his twitter called "Act on Deck" for his fans during the 2011 offseason. Josh Katzowitz from CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
gave the following statement about the song, "To me, it sounds a little like Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, but admittedly, I have no idea what I’m talking about. It also sounds like the track is incomplete, considering it just kind of fades out, but maybe that’s the point."
"Flashy Lifestyle Entertainment is a hip-hop label that I started with Kenny Turner," Johnson told publicists Jonathan Hay and Justin Melo for SOHH
SOHH
SOHH is a hip hop news website. Felicia Palmer and Steven Samuel founded the website in 1996. In 2000, Rolling Stone magazine writer Mark Binelli called it the "best overall hip-hop site".- History :...
. "We have four different solo artists and one group on the label that all go hard. The solo artists go by the names of Pressure Dommer, Lil EZ, Ballie and Stakkhouse." Chris Johnson also added the following statement to SOHH
SOHH
SOHH is a hip hop news website. Felicia Palmer and Steven Samuel founded the website in 1996. In 2000, Rolling Stone magazine writer Mark Binelli called it the "best overall hip-hop site".- History :...
, "Music is always something I wanted to somehow be a part of," he added "I always wanted to be a rapper or be involved with the rap industry in some sort of fashion. Flashy Lifestyle and the artists that we have -- have given me the opportunity to finally do that."