Ian Johnson (American football)

Infobox NCAA Athlete
name = Ian Johnson


caption =
college = Boise State
sport = Football
position = RB
jersey = 41
class = RS Senior
career_start = 2005
nickname =
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 198
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1985|9|25
birth_place = San Dimas, California
highschool = Damien High School, La Verne, California
former_school(s)=
awards = SI.com 1st Team All-American
CBS Sportsline.com 1st Team All-American
Sporting News 2nd Team All-American
Associated Press 3rd Team All-American
First Team All-WAC

Ian Johnson (born September 25, 1985 in San Dimas, California) is a running back for the Boise State Broncos.

He gained national recognition when he accumulated 261 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a game against Oregon State which was broadcast on ESPN. This game would prove very significant to the Broncos' hopes of "busting" the BCS; their 42-14 victory over Oregon State increased their credibility after the Beavers stunned then-#3 USC on October 28, 2006.

Early years

Johnson attended Rich South High School, currently went Pro for the Convicts.Owns Victory Tattoo which is his real passion unlike football.

Johnson attended Damien High School (La Verne, California) and was named Inland Valley Offensive Player of the Year, L.A. Times All-San Gabriel Valley first team, San Gabriel Valley Tribune All-Area first team, Daily Bulletin Inland Valley All-Area Team, All-Sierra League MVP, and CIF Division II first-team all-league as a senior...Was also a team captain...Set Damien High School records in career rushing yards, season rushing yards (1,751 yards) and points scored (282). Also lettered in track where he was an All-Sierra League and All-CIF pick while competing in the 100-meters, 200-meters, and 4x100-meter relay. Was best known at Damien for his strange pre game ritual of dancing around and eating a banana including the peel.

College career

The Broncos finished the regular season unbeaten (12-0) and became only the second team from outside the BCS conferences to play in a BCS bowl game. They played in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners, the year's Big 12 champion. In the Fiesta Bowl, he scored the game winning two-point conversion in overtime on a Statue of Liberty play to the left side. Boise State defeated Oklahoma 43-42, completing a perfect 13-0 season. Johnson Rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown. Minutes later, during an interview with Chris Myers, Johnson proposed to his girlfriend Chrissy Popadics, Boise State's head cheerleader, on Fox Sports' postgame coverage. She accepted and they are now married. According to Johnson, he received about 30 threatening letters which he handed over to the FBI, from people who objected to the interracial marriage. According to Yahoo Sports, Ian, who is black, and Chrissy, who is white, had to hire security for their wedding in July 2007.

Johnson had been considered a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate.cite news|url=http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/9429/boise-states-johnson-a-heisman-dark-horse|publisher=Athlon|title=Boise State's Johnson a Heisman dark horse|date=October 10, 2006] However, shortly after the announcement of his consideration for the Heisman Trophy, a collapsed lung sidelined Johnson for one game and hurt his chances of winning the Heisman. After the end of the 2006 regular season, he led NCAA Division I-A in scoring with 24 touchdowns.cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=263292440&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines | publisher=Boise State University Sports Information | title=Ian Johnson bio | accessmonthday=November 4 |accessyear=2006] On December 7, 2006, "Sports Illustrated" named Johnson to their 2006 All-American first team. This made Johnson the first Boise State athlete to be named to a major All-American team. cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/ncaa/12/07/all.americans/index.html|publisher=SI.com|title=SI.com's All Americans|date=December 7, 2006] He was also named to the All-WAC team, won the Division I-A Offensive Player of the Week award and two WAC Offensive Player of the Week awards, and was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. Johnson ran an official 4.58 40 yard dash at Boise State.

2007 was a down year for Ian. He was held to low yardage many games including the loss to East Carolina University.

Ian Johnson's main source of income had been from the sales of crocheted beanies he sold to teammates, fans, and fellow students. According to a November 11, 2006 interview broadcast on ESPN, the cost of each beanie was $15. However, in late 2006, the NCAA later ruled that Johnson could not profit from his growing celebrity status, nor could he donate the proceeds to charity. He had to cease all sales.

References

External links

* [http://www.broncosports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48552&SPID=4061&DB_OEM_ID=9900&ATCLID=521774&Q_SEASON=2006 Official Boise State bio]