Stone Johnson

For the American civil rights activist, see Colonel Stone Johnson.

Stone Edward Johnson (April 26, 1940 — September 8, 1963) was an American sprinter and professional football player. He played as a kick returner and running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League (AFL) during the 1963 preseason.

Stone Johnson

No. 33
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	April 26, 1940 Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Died:	September 8, 1963(1963-09-08) (aged 23) Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Career information
College:	Grambling State
AFL draft:	1963: 14th round, 105th overall
Career history
Kansas City Chiefs (1963)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Kansas City Chiefs No. 33 retired

On August 30, 1963, the rookie Johnson, a 200-meter track finalist in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and former world record holder, suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck in a preseason game against the Houston Oilers in Wichita, Kansas during a kickoff return. He died 10 days later, on September 8, at the age of 23.^[1] Although he was only on the team's active roster during preseason, his jersey number 33 was retired.^[2][3]

See also

• List of American Football League players