Chris Johnson

Early life

Johnson was born in Orlando, Florida, on September 23, 1985. He played football at Olympia High School in Orlando. Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Johnson was not ranked among the nation's top running back prospects in 2004. He selected East Carolina over Eastern Kentucky, USF and UConn.

Track and field

Johnson was also a standout track star at Olympia High School. As a senior, he finished second in the 100 metres at the 2004 Florida 4A state championships behind Walter Dix. Johnson also finished his senior season posting personal bests of 10.38 and 21.28 (the nation's 24th fastest in 2004) in the 100 metres and 200 metres respectively.

As a junior, Johnson qualified for the finals of the Florida State meet with a preliminary time of 10.83 seconds. He placed fourth with a time of 10.66 while also anchoring the 4 × 100 meters relay team that won Golden South and Golden West National Championships.

Johnson's personal records are 10.38 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.28 seconds in the 200 meters.

College career

Johnson accepted a scholarship to East Carolina University, majoring in communications, where he played for the East Carolina Pirates. After retiring, Johnson returned to school and graduated in 2020. He was inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame on June 25, 2023.

2004 season

As a freshman, Johnson made an immediate impact in all 11 games, as he eventually started seven games on the season. Johnson finished the season on the Conference USA All-Freshman squad as a running back. He recorded a reception in 10 straight games, which was a team-best. Johnson finished the season with 561 yards rushing and 765 yards on kick returns for 1,562 all-purpose yards, all team-highs. He finished the season by being ranked 24th nationally for all-purpose yardage, and also rushed for five touchdowns. Johnson finished the season with eight school game or season records for a freshman and finished the year with 32 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns, second on the team. In his collegiate debut against West Virginia, Johnson returned five kickoffs for a total of 100 yards. Against Louisville, Johnson returned seven kickoffs for 102 yards. In a victory over Tulane, he set season-highs with 31 carries for 158 yards and two scores. Against South Florida, Johnson totaled 212 all-purpose yards and scored ECU's only offensive touchdown on an 18-yard reception. In the season finale against NC State, Johnson totaled a season-high 144 kickoff return yards.

2005 season

After his memorable freshman season, Johnson started all 11 games at tailback as a sophomore. He led the team with 684 yards on 176 carries and six touchdowns, while also recording 35 receptions for 356 yards and two scores and 459 kickoff return yards. Johnson was also the team leader with 1,499 all-purpose yards and set a school record with 67 career receptions as a running back. Against the West Virginia Mountaineers, he rushed for 92 yards on 22 carries, both team highs. In the Southern Mississippi game, Johnson returned four kickoffs for 100 yards. In the Rice victory, he totaled 129 receiving yards, including an 81-yard touchdown reception. Johnson's -yard receiving game teamed-up with Aundrae Allison's 109 yards marked the first dual 100-yard receiving game since 1999 for the Pirates. In the Tulsa game, Johnson did not record a reception which ended his consecutive streak at 18 games. However, in the following game against Marshall, Johnson carried the ball 18 times for 106 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.

2006 season

After missing spring practice due to neck surgery, Johnson returned in his junior season with 972 all-purpose yards. In the down season, Johnson totaled 314 rushing yards, 176 receiving yards, and 482 kickoff return yards. He played in 12 games on the season but only started five. Johnson was selected to the All-Conference USA first-team as a return specialist after the season. He also broke the school career record for receiving yards as a running back with 768 yards, but only had one 100-yard rushing game on the year and only had four rushing scores. During the season opener against Navy, Johnson only recorded 54 all-purpose yards with one rushing touchdown. In the UAB game, Johnson had 112 all-purpose yards. In the Memphis game, Johnson recorded his only 100-yard rushing game with 106 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns. He finished the game with 180 all-purpose yards. Johnson had a foot injury that limited his action in the West Virginia game, and caused him to miss the Virginia game. In the SMU game, Johnson returned a kickoff for a career-long 51 yards. Then, in the Southern Miss game, Johnson recorded 136 all-purpose yards that included a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, his second career return touchdown. The return also made national recognition on ESPN's top plays. Against Rice, Johnson carried the ball 12 times for 83 yards.

2007 season

After an average junior season, Johnson entered his senior season as a preseason All-Conference USA first-team as a return specialist. However, Johnson finished the season as a first-team selection as returner and second-team selection as a running back. He began the season with a rushing score in the 17–7 loss to Virginia Tech. Johnson followed that performance up with a career-high 136 yards on 5 five receptions for two touchdowns, including a 78-yard touchdown reception, and also a rushing touchdown against North Carolina. In the 48–7 loss to West Virginia, Johnson rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries and also scored ECU's only touchdown of the game. After a slow start rushing on the season, Johnson rushed for 147 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns against Houston in the narrow 37–35 victory. In the Central Florida victory, Johnson rushed for 89 yards with two scores, caught five receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and returned four kickoffs for 194 yards with a 96-yard touchdown return. He finished the game with a then career-high 272 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. The next game, against UTEP, Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 23 carries. Then, in the 56–40 victory over Memphis, Johnson rushed for a career-high 301 yards and four touchdowns. He also had four kick returns for 95 yards for a then career-high 396 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in the game. In the following loss to Marshall, Johnson rushed for 72 yards and a score and 45 receiving yards for a total of 117 all-purpose yards. Then, in the 35–12 victory over Tulane, Johnson rushed for 155 yards on 27 carries for two scores and caught four passes for 85 yards and another score for 240 all-purpose yards and three scores.

In Johnson's final collegiate game, the 2007 Hawai'i Bowl against Boise State, Johnson rushed for 223 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown as the Pirates won, 41–38. Johnson also had three receptions for 32 yards and a score and had six kick returns for 153 yards for a career-high and NCAA FBS record of 408 all-purpose yards and two scores.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Prior to the NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson was projected as a second- to third-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL draft. However, at the combine he registered a time of 4.24 seconds and tied the all-time mark set by Rondel Menendez, a wide receiver from Eastern Kentucky, in 1999—the first year the combine used electronic timers (his record was later broken by John Ross in 2017 with a time of 4.22). Johnson was also fifth highest among running backs in the vertical jump with a 35-inch jump. His 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump was third best among the running backs.

Tennessee Titans

Johnson was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the first round (24th overall) of the 2008 NFL draft. He was the highest East Carolina player selected in the NFL Draft since linebacker Robert Jones went 24th overall in the 1992 NFL draft. On July 26, Johnson signed a five-year, $12 million contract with $7 million guaranteed.

Johnson had his professional debut with the Titans on September 7, 2008, where he played in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which the Titans won 17–10. Johnson rushed for 93 yards on 15 carries and had three receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. In only his second career game, Johnson ran for 109 yards on 19 carries, including a 51-yard run, and two receptions for 12 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals.

On September 28, Johnson rushed for the first touchdown of his career against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson finished the game with 75 all-purpose yards (61 rushing, 14 receiving) and two touchdowns. In only his sixth professional game, he rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown on only 18 carries against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 19, 2008. Johnson finished the season with 1,228 yards on 251 carries for a 4.9 ypc and 43 receptions for 260 yards and 10 total touchdowns in 15 games. He led all rookies in rushing yards per game with 81.9 ypg.

Johnson finished second in AP Rookie of the Year voting to Matt Ryan and was elected to the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Johnson split carries with running back LenDale White for the duration of the 2008 season. White finished the 2008 season with 773 yards on 200 carries for a 3.9 ypc and 15 rushing touchdowns. They nicknamed this RB tandem "Smash and Dash." Smash referred to White due to his power, and Dash referred to Johnson due to his unusual quickness and speed. Entering into the 2009 season, however, Johnson dismissed the nickname of "Smash and Dash" and named himself "Every Coach's Dream."

Some consider Johnson's 2009 season to be one of the best ever in NFL history for a running back. He started the season off with 57 rushing yards in a 13–10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the next game, a 34–31 loss to the Houston Texans, he had 16 carries for 197 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with nine receptions for 87 yards and a receiving touchdown. Over the next three games, Johnson combined for 214 rushing yards. In the next game, a 59–0 loss to the New England Patriots, he had 128 rushing yards. In the next game, a 30–13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had 24 carries for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up with 135 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers. The next week, against the Buffalo Bills, he had 132 rushing yards and his third consecutive game with two rushing touchdowns to go along with nine receptions for 100 yards. In the next game, against the Houston Texans, he was held out of the endzone but had 151 rushing yards on 29 carries. He followed that up with 154 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 20–17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. On December 13, against the St. Louis Rams, he had 117 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with three receptions for 69 yards and a receiving touchdown in the 47–7 victory. In Week 16, on Christmas Day, he had 142 rushing yards and a touchdown in a loss to the San Diego Chargers. In the regular season finale against the Seahawks, he had 36 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the 17–13 victory. Overall, Johnson rushed for 2,006 yards and finished the year with 11 consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards to become one of only eight, now nine, players in NFL history to be in the 2,000 rushing yards club. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry and 125.4 yards per game to lead the league. He had 2,509 total yards from scrimmage, breaking Marshall Faulk's single-season record. He was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. After his 2009 season, he was named to his second Pro Bowl and the media referred to him as "CJ2K".

New York Jets

Johnson agreed to a three-year contract worth $9 million per year with the New York Jets on April 16, 2014. Johnson finished the 2014 season with 153 carries for a career-low 663 yards and one touchdown.

The Jets declined the second year of Johnson's contract on February 15, 2015, making him a free agent in the 2015 offseason.

Arizona Cardinals

On August 17, 2015, Johnson agreed to a one-year, $2.56 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Johnson was having a great season and was in the top three in rushing yards for more than half of the season, looking like his great past performance in Tennessee. Some of his notable games included a 110-yard, two-touchdown performance against the San Francisco 49ers and 122 yards, and on October 26, a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. On November 29, 2015, Johnson suffered a fractured tibia during the Week 12 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. He was then placed on the injured reserve with a designation to return list on December 1, 2015. Johnson finished the 2015 regular season with 196 carries for 814 yards and three touchdowns, along with being named a Pro Bowl alternate.

Johnson re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year, $3 million contract on March 17, 2016. The emergence of David Johnson as a star running back for the Cardinals limited Chris Johnson's use. On October 4, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. He finished the season with 95 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 25 carries.

On July 20, 2017, the Cardinals re-signed Johnson on a one-year contract. He was released on September 1, 2017. On September 12, 2017, Johnson re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

Johnson was released by the team on October 10, 2017. He had played in four games in the 2017 season and had 114 rushing yards on 45 carries.

Retirement

On November 5, 2018, Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons in the league.

On April 24, 2019, Johnson signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Tennessee Titans.

Career statistics

Career highlights

Awards and honors

NFL

NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2009)

First-team All-Pro (2009)

3× Pro Bowl (2008–2010)

NFL rushing yards leader (2009)

PFWA All-Rookie Team (2008)

FedEx Ground Player of the Year (2009)

3× NFL Top 100 — 13th (2011), 100th (2012), 62nd (2013)

College

C-USA Special Teams POY (2007)

2× First-team All-C-USA (2006, 2007)

Other honors

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (2024)

NFL records

Only player in NFL history with a touchdown of 50 yards, 60 yards, and 90 yards in one game. (a 57-yard rush, a 69-yard reception, and a 91-yard rush during Week 2 against the Texans, 2009)

Most total scrimmage yards in one single season: 2,509 (2009)

Most total scrimmage yards in one month: 968 (November 2009)

Only player in NFL history with 6 touchdown runs of over 80 yards (80, 83, 85, 89, 91, 94). No other player has more than four.

Only player in NFL history with 4 touchdown runs of over 85 yards (85, 89, 91, 94).

Only player in NFL history to run for three 80-yard touchdown runs in a single season on more than one occasion (2009, 2012).

First player in NFL history with 6 consecutive games of 125+ rushing yards and a 5.0+ yards per carry average (Breaking Jim Brown's record set in 1958 of five consecutive games).

First player in NFL history with at least 1,900 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards in the same season (2009)

First player in NFL history with at least 1,900 rushing yards and 50 receptions in the same season (2009)

Second most consecutive games rushing for more than 100 yards (12, October 18, 2009 – September 12, 2010; first is Barry Sanders with 14).

One of two players to have 2,000 rushing yard in a season but under 10,000 in a career (other is Terrell Davis).

Television appearances

In 2013, Johnson appeared on an episode of Ink Master as a special guest judge.

Before the 2013 NFL season, Johnson participated in the National Geographic's "Man v. Cheetah" documentary. On the show Johnson raced a cheetah on a 220-foot-long course with a wall separating them. The cheetah won.

Personal life

Johnson and his wife Brittany have four children together.

2015 shooting

In the early morning of March 8, 2015, Johnson was shot in the shoulder during a drive-by in Orlando, Florida, in which the driver of the vehicle, Dreekius Oricko Johnson, was killed. Reggie Johnson, who also was in the car, sustained injuries to the shoulder, leg, and hand.

Health

In 2025, Johnson was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). By the time he made the diagnosis public, in a June 29, 2026, interview on Good Morning America with Michael Strahan, the disease had progressed to the point he had to use a speech-producing device to talk. After his announcement, numerous former NFL players including Adrian Peterson, Steve Gleason and Deion Sanders among others revived the Ice Bucket Challenge in support of Johnson, as well as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.