Johnson attended Carrick High School, where he played as a running back. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Miami. During his first years, he was tried at different positions, including halfback. In his last two seasons he also was the team's punter.
As a senior, he settled as a two-way player at offensive end and defensive back, becoming a starter for the first time in his college career. He was second on the team with 8 receptions for 98 yards (12.3-yard avg.), 2 receiving touchdowns, while also registering 34 tackles (fourth on the team), and 35 punts for a 38.2-yard average.[1]
Johnson was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (49th overall) of the 1957 NFL draft. As a rookie, he had 4 interceptions and 11 punts for 398 yards (36.2-yard average).
In 1958, he tallied one interception and 18 punts for 627 yards (34.8-yard average). In 1959, he only appeared in 6 games (all starts), registering one interception and one punt for 32 yards.
On September 20, 1960, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League and became a part of the franchise's inaugural season.[5] He appeared in 12 games (2 starts) and posted 2 interceptions.
