Kenny Johnson (defensive back)

For the CFL quarterback, see Ken Johnson (quarterback).

Kenneth Ray Johnson (born January 7, 1958) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back and return specialist for 10 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 1980 NFL draft.

Kenny Johnson

No. 37, 22
Position:	Defensive back return specialist
Personal information
Born:	(1958-01-07) January 7, 1958 (age 67) Moss Point, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	176 lb (80 kg)
Career information
High school:	Moss Point
College:	Mississippi State
NFL draft:	1980: 5th round, 137th pick
Career history
Atlanta Falcons (1980–1986) Houston Oilers (1986-1989)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-SEC (1979)
Career NFL statistics
Fumble recoveries: 11 Interceptions: 17 Return yards: 2,010 Total touchdowns: 4 Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

Kenny Johnson played as a defensive back and return specialist at Mississippi State University for four seasons from 1976-1979. He played in all 11 games each season with the Bulldogs.^[1]

Professional career

Johnson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 1980 NFL draft. He started every game in his first five seasons, 1980-1984, playing as a cornerback in 1980-83 and as a safety in 1984. In the 1985 season, he started in three games and played in five games.

Johnson began the 1986 season with the Falcons, but ended it with the Houston Oilers. Johnson played mainly as a return specialist for the Oilers from 1986-1989, while starting three games.^[2]