Johnnie Morton

Infobox NFLretired


|caption=
position=Wide Receiver
number=87, 80, 84
birthdate=birth date and age|1971|10|7
Torrance, California
debutyear=1994
finalyear=2005
draftyear=1994
draftround=1
draftpick=21
college=USC
teams=
* Detroit Lions (1994-2001)
* Kansas City Chiefs (2002-2004)
* San Francisco 49ers (2005)
stat1label=Receptions
stat1value=624
stat2label=Receiving Yards
stat2value=8,719
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=43
nfl=MOR800887

Johnnie James Morton, Jr. (born October 7, 1971 in Torrance, California) was a wide receiver in the NFL. He was released by the San Francisco 49ers after the 2005 season and retired from pro football thereafter. Originally, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 1st round (21st overall) in the 1994 NFL Draft. He played there until 2002, when he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played there for three years. He then signed with the 49ers and only played the 2005 NFL season with them.

College career

He played at the University of Southern California. Morton managed to break USC and Pac-10 records for receptions and yards.

Mixed martial arts career

Morton made his Mixed Martial Arts début on the June 2, 2007, at K-1 Dynamite!! USA. He lost to Bernard Ackah in 38 seconds of the first round via a knock-out (punch). He was carried from the ring on a stretcher and was taken to hospital. At the hospital, Morton's trainer Mike Guymon said that Morton was alert and conscious.

After the fight, Morton was suspended indefinitely and denied his purse ($100,000) by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) after refusing to take his post-fight anti-doping test. [cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=7753 |last= Gross |first= Josh |title=CSAC Indefinitely Suspends Morton |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=2007-06-03 | accessdate=2007-06-06] It was revealed by the CSAC on June 9, 2007 that Morton tested positive for anabolic steroids. According to CSAC executive officer Armando Garcia, Morton tested positive for a "very elevated TE ratio, which is testosterone. And that is 83.9 -- the normal industry standard for an athlete is 6." [ [http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=7893 Morton Tests Positive for Steroids ] ] Morton faces a possible revocation of his fighting license and fine.

Personal

*Johnnie's younger brother, Chad Morton, also played at USC.

*The Mortons are of mixed ethnicity, African-American and Japanese.

*Johnnie had a brief cameo appearance in the movie "Jerry Maguire".

Miscellaneous

*During the 2001 season, comedian Jay Leno had been poking fun at the Lions' 0-12 record. When the Lions won their first game of the season 27-24 against the Minnesota Vikings, Morton, who knew of Leno's comments, said, "I want Jay Leno to kiss my ass." Morton would later appear on "The Tonight Show" [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0728472/] , during which Leno proceeded to kiss a donkey.
*Also, during the 2001 season on Monday Night Football, they did a short on him being on a strict low or no sodium diet, prompting Dennis Miller to quip, "How do you like a guy named Morton who doesn't even eat salt?"
*On December 14, 2003, Morton was involved in a controversy with current President of the Detroit Lions, Matt Millen. At the time, Morton was playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, the team he signed with after leaving the Lions in 2002. After the Chiefs beat the Lions 45-17, Morton passed Millen near the players' locker room after the game. Morton claims that he was passing Millen in the hallway at which point Millen said "Hey Johnnie." Morton claims to have ignored him, after which Millen said "nice talking to you," to which Morton responded "kiss my ass." Thereafter, Millen reportedly called Morton a "faggot" at least twice, and the exchange was heard by several witnesses and was first reported by Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star.

References

External links

* [http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/teams/players/bio/?id=1113&hubname=nfl TSN Bio]
* [http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3679&zoneid=7 Article on K-1 press conference regarding June 2nd event.]
* [http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=1129 Sherdog.com interview with Morton about making his MMA debut.]
* [http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=21783 Professional MMA record.]
* [http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=7753 CSAC Indefinitely Suspends Morton.]

ee also

*List of male mixed martial artists