Jimmy Johnson ’61 (UCLA), a two-sport standout at UCLA and Hall of Fame cornerback for the 49ers, passed into the Chapter Eternal on May 8, 2023.
At UCLA, Johnson was a world-class athlete who starred as a hurdler and broad jumper for the track and field team, and a football ironman who played wingback on offense and cornerback on defense for the Bruins.
A first-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1961, Johnson went on to play 16 years in the league. He played his entire pro career with San Francisco appearing in 213 games and piling up 47 career interceptions. He was so versatile that the 49ers used him on offense in 1962, when he made 34 receptions for 627 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994, and was regarded as one of the best man-to-man defenders in league history — a true “lockdown cornerback.” A five-time All-Pro, he won the George Halas Award in 1971 for courageous play.
Brothers in every sense of the word
Jimmy Johnson was the younger brother of track and field legend, Rafer Johnson, who won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic decathlon. They were both members of the CA Upsilon chapter of Pi Lambda Phi.
Jimmy chose Rafer as his presenter for his enshrinement in the NFL Hall of Fame where Rafer said of his brother:
“Jim and I often talked about his dream as we grew up and thought about what great tomorrows would bring. It was simple: He wanted to play his game to the best of his ability.”
“Jimmy is a quiet man, but he played with determination and commitment. Most of all, Jim was and is a gentle man and a true gentleman.”
“Jim and I often talked about his dream as we grew up and thought about what great tomorrows would bring. It was simple: He wanted to play his game to the best of his ability.”
In his acceptance speech, Jimmy said, “Rafer Johnson is in fact my hero and that is an amazing thing in itself.”
“Most young men growing up usually have a hero in another town, another city, another country, and they will write to this individual, receive an autographed photo and then tack that photo up on the wall and worship that photo, play for that photo and get inspiration from that photo. No such problem for me.”
“I had a brother living with me that I was able to talk to, ask the pertinent questions, get the pertinent feedback and get corrected in my direction, if needed. I must say I must give brother Rafer credit for everything that I have accomplished in the field of athletics.”
