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Levi Johnson
Levi Johnson
Levi Johnson
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Levi Johnson (born October 30, 1950) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for five seasons with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&I Javelinas. He had 21 interceptions in less than five years as an NFL player, returning three for touchdowns.[1]

Key Information

Johnson led the Lions with five interceptions during the 1973 NFL season[2] and the 1974 NFL season, returning two for touchdowns in 1974, including one on Thanksgiving Day against the Denver Broncos.[3]

He added another touchdown during the 1975 NFL season against the Green Bay Packers. During the season-opener, he blocked two punts and fell on one in the end zone for the score. Teammate Larry Ball picked up Johnson's other blocked punt and returned it 34 yards for another touchdown.[4]

Johnson had a career-high six interceptions in 1976, and was second on the team that season, one behind James Hunter.[5] He also scored the final touchdown of his career, picking off Jim Zorn of the expansion Seattle Seahawks and returning it 70 yards for the score.[6]

Johnson had two interceptions in the 1977 NFL season's third game, against the Philadelphia Eagles, but sustained a knee injury and never played again in the NFL.[7]

References

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Levi Johnson

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Levi Johnson is an American former professional football cornerback known for his five-season career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League during the 1970s. Born on October 30, 1950, in Corpus Christi, Texas, he played college football at Texas A&M University–Kingsville (then known as Texas A&I) and was selected by the Lions in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft. Johnson quickly became a starting defensive back for Detroit, appearing in 59 games over his tenure with the team from 1973 to 1977 and contributing significantly to the secondary during his prime years. His career ended prematurely due to a knee injury sustained early in the 1977 season. Johnson's time in the NFL was marked by his role as a ball-hawking cornerback for one of the league's established franchises, though limited public information exists regarding his post-playing life or additional personal details.

Early life

Birth and background

Levi Johnson was born on October 30, 1950, in Corpus Christi, Texas. His full name is listed as Levi Johnson Jr. He attended Roy Miller High School in Corpus Christi, Texas. Corpus Christi served as his hometown during his early years, prior to his later visibility as a professional football player.

Football career

College football

Levi Johnson played college football at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University–Kingsville), where he lettered as a cornerback from 1969 to 1972. He was a standout performer for the Javelinas during this period, competing in both football and track and field, and contributing to the team's NAIA national championship wins in 1969 and 1970. Johnson received multiple All-American honors for his play at cornerback, including selections as an AP Little All-American and NAIA All-American in 1971, followed by Gridiron All-American recognition in 1972. These accolades highlighted his impact on the defensive side of the ball during an era when Texas A&I competed at the NAIA level. In recognition of his collegiate contributions, Johnson was inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame in 2022. His performance at Texas A&M–Kingsville positioned him for selection in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft.

Professional NFL career

Levi Johnson played his entire professional NFL career as a cornerback for the Detroit Lions from 1973 to 1977. He appeared in 59 regular season games, starting 57 of them, establishing himself as a durable starter in the Lions' secondary during that period. Johnson recorded 21 interceptions, returning them for 549 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with 4 fumble recoveries. These defensive contributions came exclusively in regular season play with no recorded playoff appearances or interceptions during his tenure.

Television appearances

Sports broadcast credits

Levi Johnson made limited appearances on national television as himself during his NFL career with the Detroit Lions, credited in sports broadcast programming for games in which he participated. These appearances occurred exclusively in the context of live NFL game telecasts rather than post-career analysis, commentary, or documentary work. He is listed as himself in five episodes of The NFL on CBS from 1973 to 1975, four episodes of NFL Monday Night Football from 1973 to 1976, and two episodes of The NFL on NBC from 1974 to 1976. No additional sports broadcast credits, including any hosting, guest analyst roles, or appearances in NFL-related documentaries after his retirement, are documented in available sources.

Legacy and recognition

Post-career mentions

After his NFL career ended in 1977 due to a knee injury, Levi Johnson has received occasional recognition for his contributions to football, primarily through alumni honors tied to his collegiate and professional legacy. In 2022, he was inducted into the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Javelina Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 class, honoring his standout career with the Javelinas from 1969 to 1972. During his college years, Johnson was a member of the 1969 and 1970 NAIA national championship football teams, served as team captain in 1972, earned first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press and NAIA in 1971, and received first-team All-Lone Star Conference recognition. He also contributed to track and field success, as part of the 1970 Lone Star Conference champion 440-yard relay team. Johnson maintained ties to the Detroit Lions organization in the early 2000s, serving multiple times as an Alumni Honorary Captain at home games. He has also participated in community efforts related to football, including working with children at camps and acting as a spokesman for the Police Athletic League, while making charity appearances on behalf of Lions-related causes. These activities reflect his continued engagement with the sport and community in the Detroit area following his playing days. No induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame or similar major professional recognitions has occurred.

Personal life

Family and later years

After retiring from the NFL in the late 1970s due to recurring injuries, Levi Johnson transitioned to a career in automotive sales to support his family. He spent 19 years working as a salesman at Mel Farr Ford and Lincoln Mercury in Oak Park, Michigan, a dealership owned by former Lions teammate Mel Farr. He later worked in the same capacity at Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury. As of 2004, Johnson resided in Westland, Michigan. Johnson has two daughters and has referenced having at least one grandchild. He married in 1978, though the marriage later ended in divorce. Reflecting on his post-football life, Johnson noted that his focus has remained on being around people.
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