Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1975 to 1985), he played as a defensive tackle, defensive end and nose tackle in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. Born Gary Lynn Johnson, he attended Mitchell High School (Bossier City, Louisiana). He played collegiate football at Grambling State University, and under the guidance of legendary coach Eddie Robinson earned NAIA All-American honors, All-Southwestern Conference status three-times and team MVP honors in 1974. He was selected by San Diego during the 1st round of the 1975 NFL Draft and appeared in 157 career regular season games, earning Pro Bowl status four consecutive years (1979 to 1982). Johnson was part of a formidable defensive line which consisted of Leroy Jones, Louie Kelcher and Fred Dean. Under the guidance of Don Coryell, Johnson played on a Chargers' team that clinched four consecutive playoff berths (1979 to 1982), including two trips to the AFC Championship Game (1980 and 1981). During the 1984 season, he split his playing time with San Diego and San Francisco, and was a member of the 49ers team that won Super Bowl XIX in 1985. Following his football career, he operated an ice cream shop. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997, enshrined in the Chargers' Hall of Fame in 1999, and named to the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2007. He died of complications from a stroke.
Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1975 to 1985), he played as a defensive tackle, defensive end and nose tackle in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. Born Gary Lynn Johnson, he attended Mitchell High School (Bossier City, Louisiana). He played collegiate football at Grambling State University, and under the guidance of legendary coach Eddie Robinson earned NAIA All-American honors, All-Southwestern Conference status three-times and team MVP honors in 1974. He was selected by San Diego during the 1st round of the 1975 NFL Draft and appeared in 157 career regular season games, earning Pro Bowl status four consecutive years (1979 to 1982). Johnson was part of a formidable defensive line which consisted of Leroy Jones, Louie Kelcher and Fred Dean. Under the guidance of Don Coryell, Johnson played on a Chargers' team that clinched four consecutive playoff berths (1979 to 1982), including two trips to the AFC Championship Game (1980 and 1981). During the 1984 season, he split his playing time with San Diego and San Francisco, and was a member of the 49ers team that won Super Bowl XIX in 1985. Following his football career, he operated an ice cream shop. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997, enshrined in the Chargers' Hall of Fame in 1999, and named to the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2007. He died of complications from a stroke.
Bio by: C.S.
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