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Essex Johnson
Essex L. Johnson (October 15, 1946 – October 29, 2020) was a professional American football running back for eight seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals and one season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Johnson was born on October 15, 1946, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He attended Booker T. Washington High School where he played running back, kick returner and punt returner on the football team. His high school coach Leonard Barnes taught Johnson the running style he would take into college and professional football. In 1963, Johnson scored a then school record 23 touchdowns, and the team's only defeat was a 13–12 loss to the state champions. He also ran track on the 440-yard and 880-yard relay teams.
Johnson played defensive back and offensive halfback at Grambling State University for legendary coach Eddie Robinson. In October 1966, he returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown, which was marked by his dazzling maneuvers down the field. One week later, he returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. By his final season in 1967 he had helped lead the team to three consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) titles. He scored two touchdowns in Grambling's 1967 Orange Blossom Classic win over Florida A&M.
Among his Grambling teammates was future Hall of fame receiver Charlie Joiner. In 2012, Johnson was inducted into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame.
Johnson was drafted in the 6th round (156th overall) of the 1968 Common draft by the expansion Cincinnati Bengals, the team's first draft. Although he was drafted as a defensive back, he was converted to halfback once in the NFL.
In his rookie year of 1968, the Bengals' first season in the American Football League, he played in all 14 games, primarily as a backup to running backs Paul Robinson (American football) and Jess Phillips. He scored his first professional touchdown in the Bengals' first-ever win (in their second game). In the fourth quarter, he had a 35-yard touchdown run through the middle as the Bengals downed the Denver Broncos, 24-10.
For the season, Johnson rushed for 178 yards on only 26 attempts (a 6.8 average) and three touchdowns, plus one reception for 33 yards. He also returned 22 punts for 122 yards (a 5.0 average), and returned 14 kicks for 266 yards (a 19.0 average).
In 1969, he played in 12 games and rushed for 54 yards in 15 attempts (a 3.6 average), while catching one pass for three yards. He returned 17 punts for 85 yards (a 5.0 average), and he returned 16 kicks for 362 yards, a 22.6 average.
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Essex Johnson
Essex L. Johnson (October 15, 1946 – October 29, 2020) was a professional American football running back for eight seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals and one season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Johnson was born on October 15, 1946, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He attended Booker T. Washington High School where he played running back, kick returner and punt returner on the football team. His high school coach Leonard Barnes taught Johnson the running style he would take into college and professional football. In 1963, Johnson scored a then school record 23 touchdowns, and the team's only defeat was a 13–12 loss to the state champions. He also ran track on the 440-yard and 880-yard relay teams.
Johnson played defensive back and offensive halfback at Grambling State University for legendary coach Eddie Robinson. In October 1966, he returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown, which was marked by his dazzling maneuvers down the field. One week later, he returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. By his final season in 1967 he had helped lead the team to three consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) titles. He scored two touchdowns in Grambling's 1967 Orange Blossom Classic win over Florida A&M.
Among his Grambling teammates was future Hall of fame receiver Charlie Joiner. In 2012, Johnson was inducted into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame.
Johnson was drafted in the 6th round (156th overall) of the 1968 Common draft by the expansion Cincinnati Bengals, the team's first draft. Although he was drafted as a defensive back, he was converted to halfback once in the NFL.
In his rookie year of 1968, the Bengals' first season in the American Football League, he played in all 14 games, primarily as a backup to running backs Paul Robinson (American football) and Jess Phillips. He scored his first professional touchdown in the Bengals' first-ever win (in their second game). In the fourth quarter, he had a 35-yard touchdown run through the middle as the Bengals downed the Denver Broncos, 24-10.
For the season, Johnson rushed for 178 yards on only 26 attempts (a 6.8 average) and three touchdowns, plus one reception for 33 yards. He also returned 22 punts for 122 yards (a 5.0 average), and returned 14 kicks for 266 yards (a 19.0 average).
In 1969, he played in 12 games and rushed for 54 yards in 15 attempts (a 3.6 average), while catching one pass for three yards. He returned 17 punts for 85 yards (a 5.0 average), and he returned 16 kicks for 362 yards, a 22.6 average.