Walter Johnson (linebacker)

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Walter Johnson
No. 57, 90
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1963-11-13) November 13, 1963 (age 60)
Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Ferriday (LA)
College:Louisiana Tech
NFL draft:1987 / Round: 2 / Pick: 46
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • SLC Co-Defensive Player of the year (1986)
  • SLC Newcomer of the Year (1983)
  • 2× Division I-AA All-American (1985, 1986)
  • 3× All-SLC (1984, 1985, 1986)
Career NFL statistics
Games played:41
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Walter Ulysses Johnson (born November 13, 1963) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

Early years[edit]

Johnson attended Ferriday High School, where he was a defensive end. He also practiced basketball and track. He accepted a football scholarship from Louisiana Tech University.

As a sophomore in 1984, he registered 76 tackles, 11 sacks and 2 blocked kicks. He contributed to the team winning the Southland Conference and reaching the Division I-AA National championship game, where they lost 6-19 against Montana State University.[1]

He blocked 4 kicks as a junior. He was moved from defensive end to outside linebacker as a senior.

He started every game of his college career, finishing with 327 tackles, 38 sacks (school record), 23 pass break ups, 12 forced fumbles and 6 fumble recoveries.[2]

In 2013, he was inducted into the Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame.[3] He also was named to the Louisiana Tech All-Century football team.

Professional career[edit]

Johnson was selected by the Houston Oilers in the second round (46th overall) of the 1987 NFL draft.[4] He was a backup at outside linebacker and special teams player for two seasons.

In 1989, he was signed as a Plan B free agent by the New Orleans Saints. He was a backup at outside linebacker behind Pat Swilling. He had 3 tackles and one blocked extra point.

In 1990, he signed as a Plan B free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, with the intention of playing him at defensive end. He was released on August 26.

In 1991, he signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. He was released on August 26.[5]

Personal life[edit]

Johnson volunteers as an assistant football coach at Ferriday High School. He owns a convenience store.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "1984 Tech Team to be Honored at Halftime". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "LA Tech Hall of Fame Class of 2013: Walter Johnson". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. ^ "LA Tech Athletic Hall of Fame". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  5. ^ "Transactions". New York Times. Retrieved January 12, 2019.

External links[edit]