Larry Johnson (American football)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Larry Johnson

---

caption=Larry Johnson at the 2006 Xbox Fall Showcase
promotional event
primarycolor=#b20032
secondarycolor=#f2c800
currentteam=Kansas City Chiefs
currentnumber=27
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|11|19
birthplace=La Plata, Maryland
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=230
debutyear=2003
debutteam=Kansas City Chiefs
highlights=
* Doak Walker Award (2002)
* Maxwell Award (2002)
* Walter Camp Award (2002)
* Senior Bowl Most Valuable Player (2003)
* 2x Pro Bowl selection (2005, 2006)
* 2x All-Pro selection (2005, 2006)
college=Penn State
draftyear=2003
draftround=1
draftpick=27
pastteams=
* Kansas City Chiefs (2003-present)
statweek=4
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Rushing yards
statvalue1=5,179
statlabel2=Rushing average
statvalue2=4.6
statlabel3=Rushing TDs
statvalue3=53
nfl=JOH399484

Larry Alphonso Johnson, Jr. (born November 19, 1979 in La Plata, Maryland), often called LJ, is an American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs 27th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State.

Early years

Johnson is the oldest of three children, born to Christine and Larry Johnson, Sr.. His father is a former high school vice-principal, a legendary high school football coach, and the current defensive line coach at Penn State University. [ [http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_larry00.html Player Bio: Larry Johnson :: Football ] ]

During his senior year for the State College Little Lions, Johnson rushed for 2,159 yards and 29 touchdowns. [http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/larry_johnson/ Larry Johnson, #27, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs ] ] Johnson also recorded 31 tackles and 7 sacks as a Defensive End for the Little Lions.

College career

Johnson attended Penn State University where in 2002, he rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season without winning the Heisman Trophy, despite doing so with fewer carries than any other running back in the exclusive 2,000 yard club. Johnson's 8.02 yards per carry broke 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier's NCAA record for highest average per carry over the course of the regular season. Remarkably, Johnson broke the Penn State record for rushing yards in a game three times in 2002. His 257 yards in a 49-0 home thrashing of Northwestern broke Curt Warner's previous record of 256 yards set against Syracuse in 1981. Johnson then went on to rack up 279 yards in an 18-7 home win against Illinois and 327 yards in a 58-25 road win against Indiana. Johnson surpassed the 2,000 mark by gaining 279 yards on just 19 attempts in the Nittany Lions' final Big Ten conference game against Michigan State. Fans in attendance at Beaver Stadium that day were mesmerized as Johnson gained all 279 of his rushing yards in the first half; he was kept on the bench for the entire second half of the game out of respect for the over-matched opponent.

Penn State fans were outraged when Johnson did not win the 2002 Heisman Trophy, leading many of them to believe that the snubbing of the undefeated 1994 team in the national championship balloting and Johnson in 2002 evidenced a media-bias against Penn State. Others believe that Penn State's failure to hype and promote Johnson's Heisman campaign in 2002 had more to do with his failure to take home the Heisman Trophy than any media bias against Penn State. Penn State coach Joe Paterno emphasizes the team over individual players and does not allow Penn State to engage in Heisman Trophy marketing campaigns for his players.

Johnson, however, did win the Doak Walker Award (top running back), the Maxwell Award (top college player), and Walter Camp Award (top college player) after his impressive 2002 season.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Arts from Penn State in 2002.

NFL career

2003 NFL Draft

Johnson was drafted in the first round with the 27th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft as insurance for the Chiefs, who were not sure if Priest Holmes would be healthy or even sign a contract extension. Johnson was drafted over the objection of coach Dick Vermeil, who wanted to select a defensive player.("* represents NFL Combine")

Kansas City Chiefs

The conflicts between Johnson and Vermeil grew, and in 2004 Vermeil said that Johnson needed to grow up and "take the diapers off." [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/chiefs/2004-09-24-vermeil-apology_x.htm USATODAY.com - Vermeil apologizes for Johnson 'diaper' remark ] ] Johnson took great offense to this comment, and the public estrangement led to rumors that he would be traded. However, towards the end of the 2004 season, Johnson got an opportunity to start after injuries to Priest Holmes and Derrick Blaylock. He became the first player to begin his career rushing for 150 yards in each of his first three games.

Facing the same situation in 2005, with Blaylock gone and Holmes having gone down with a season-ending neck injury in early November, Johnson stepped up, and on November 20 against the Houston Texans ran for a Chiefs' record 211 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns after the injury to Holmes.

At the end of the 2005 regular season, Johnson had nine consecutive games with 100+ rushing yards, passing the 100 yard mark in every start for the Chiefs that season and earning a Pro Bowl berth. During the final game of the 2005 regular season, Johnson set a new franchise record of 1,750 rushing yards in one season, despite not starting 7 games during the season. In addition to his running ability, Johnson proved himself to be an adept receiver. In 2005, Johnson caught 33 passes for 343 yards, averaging over 10 yards per reception. Johnson was also named the 2005 MVP of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs' record in 2005 was 10-6, not making the playoffs in spite of a winning record.

With injuries limiting Holmes during the last two seasons, Johnson began the 2006 season as Kansas City's featured back. He rushed for 1,789 yards (second in the league) on 416 carries, an NFL record for most carries in a season. The Chiefs would make an appearance in the playoffs with a 9-7 record, where Johnson ran for 30 yards on 13 carries against the Indianapolis Colts. At the conclusion of the season, Johnson was selected to his second Pro Bowl appearance for his efforts.

On June 21, 2007 Johnson stated that he was willing to sit out the Chiefs' training camp unless he and the Chiefs reach an agreement on a new contract. On July 22, rumors spread about the elite running back possibly being traded to the Green Bay Packers. The initial asking price was a first- second- and third-round pick.Whitlock, Jason. [http://www.kansascity.com/sports/columnists/jason_whitlock/story/158912.html Larry Johnson says training camp holdout is possible] "Kansas City Star", D1, 21 June 2007.] However, on August 21, Johnson and the Chiefs' agreed to a five-year contract extension that locks Johnson with the Chiefs through the 2012 season. [http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/240697.html LJ ends holdout, joins Chiefs at practice] "Kansas City Star", 21 August 2007.] As a result of this extension, Johnson is now the highest-paid running back in the NFL based on average salary per year. His new contract covers six years and will pay him $45 million, with $19 million in guaranteed money - the biggest contract in Chiefs history.

In week 9 of the 2007 regular season, Johnson would be sidelined late in the 4th quarter against the Green Bay Packers with a foot injury. The injury would prove to be season ending; as Johnson did not see any playing time in the rest of the 2007 season and was placed on the injured reserve.cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071225/news_1s25nflnotes.html|title=Chiefs finally shelve Larry Johnson with lingering foot injury|accessdate=2008-05-03] Johnson would end the season with 559 yards on 158 attempts and only 3 rushing touchdowns. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6363 Larry Johnson - Kansas City Chiefs - NFL - Yahoo! Sports ] ]

In Johnson's first regular season game since his injury, he rushed for 74 yards on 22 carries with an average of 3.4 yards per carry against the New England Patriots on September 7, 2008. The Chiefs would go on to lose the game 17–10. cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20080907017|title=FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Game Trax|date=2008-09-07|accessdate=2008-09-09] After a loss to the Oakland Raiders the following week, Johnson spoke out about his low number of carries.cite web|url=http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hVizaMXM6u94cCNJCLl7pbmGKv1Q|title=Disgruntled Chiefs running back Larry Johnson speaks out yet again|date=2008-09-14|publisher=The Canadian Press|accessdate=2008-10-01] In his next two games, Johnson rushed for a combined 319 yards on 52 attempts with an average of 6.1 yards per carry.

NFL statistics

Personal

Johnson and his father, Larry, Sr., maintain a very close relationship, as Johnson has referred to his father as his "best friend" in several interviews. Johnson's brother and manager, Tony Johnson, was a starting wide receiver for Penn State from 2000-2003. In 2007, Johnson appeared in Fantasia's music video for the song "When I See U". Johnson would also make an appearance in Jay-Z's music video "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...".

Touchdown celebration

Johnson is known for flashing "The Roc" symbol (also known as the "Diamond Cutter") whenever he scores a rushing touchdown. This symbol is made with both palms facing out and touching both thumbs together and both index fingers together. Interestingly, the symbol also resembles his initials L.J. Recently Johnson signed a contract with the Team Roc clothing line founded by Jay-Z. [http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/13363740.htm] The first appearance of this gesture was after he scored a touchdown in a game on December 4, 2005 (which also happens to be Jay-Z's Birthday)

Records

NFL

* Holds the all-time NFL record for single season rushing attempts (416). [ [http://www.nbc5.com/nfl/10661714/detail.html Chiefs Make Surprising Run To Playoffs] from NBC5.com]
* Holds the all-time NFL record for most consecutive rushing touchdowns for a team without a teammate scoring a rushing touchdown (35).
* Holds the all-time NFL record for most rushing yards after November 1 in a season.

References

Further reading

*Cite news| title=RB Larry Johnson a Work of Art On and Off the Field| url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/12/07/rb_larry_johnson_a_work_of_art_on_and_off_the_field| publisher=Kansas City Chiefs| date=December 7, 2005| accessdate=2006-11-19|
*Cite news| first=Dennis| last=Dillon| title=Johnson is so old school, he's new school| url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=117670| publisher=SportingNews| date=August 15, 2006| accessdate=2006-11-19|

External links

;Profiles
* [http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396164 NFL.com]
* [http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/larry_johnson/ KCChiefs.com]
* [http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=34464 NFLPlayers.com]
* [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6363 Yahoo! Sports]