Before Franco Harris, before Jerome Bettis, there was John Henry Johnson. Discover the overlooked legacy of the powerful fullback who became the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first 1,000-yard rusher and paved the way for modern NFL running backs.

Legendary Career

November 24, 1929   – John Henry Johnson was an outstanding fullback who attended St. Mary’s University and was the second pick in the 1953 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnson rushed for over 1000 yards in both the 1962 and 1964 seasons and was the first Steeler ever to accomplish the feat.

After his contract ended in Pittsburgh, he played in the CFL for a season, then returned to the NFL with the 49ers and the Detroit Lions, and finished his 13th and final season with the AFL’s Houston Oilers. After the dust on his brilliant career had settled, Johnson accounted for 6803 career rushing yards and ranked him fourth on the All-Time rushing list. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined John Henry Johnson in the class of 1987. (source)

Conclusion

From being the second pick in the 1953 NFL Draft to shattering rushing barriers in Pittsburgh and beyond, John Henry Johnson’s 13-season career established him as one of the hardest-hitting and most durable fullbacks of his era. Though he finished his career with the Houston Oilers, his time with the Steelers, 49ers, and Lions cemented his status as an all-time great, culminating in his well-deserved enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. His career total of 6,803 rushing yards made him a standard-setter for the generations of runners who followed.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• NFL Draft: Second overall pick in the 1953 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh Steelers).
• Pittsburgh Steelers History: First player in franchise history to achieve multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons (1962 and 1964).
• 1,000-Yard Seasons: Rushed for over 1,000 yards in two seasons (1962 and 1964).
• Career Rushing Yards: Finished his career with 6,803 total rushing yards, ranking him fourth on the All-Time Rushing List at the time of his retirement.
• Career Duration: Played 13 seasons across the NFL and AFL (Steelers, 49ers, Lions, Oilers).
• Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the Class of 1987