Walter Johnson (linebacker)

Walter Ulysses Johnson (born November 13, 1963) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Louisiana Tech University.

Walter Johnson
No. 57, 90
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1963-11-13) November 13, 1963
Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Ferriday (LA)
College:Louisiana Tech
NFL Draft:1987 / Round: 2 / Pick: 46
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • SLC Co-Defensive Player of the year (1986)
  • SLC Newcomer of the Year (1983)
  • 2× Division I-AA All-American (1985, 1986)
  • 3× All-SLC (1984, 1985, 1986)
Career NFL statistics
Games played:41
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Johnson attended Ferriday High School, where he was a defensive end. He also practiced basketball and track. He accepted a football scholarship from Louisiana Tech University.

As a sophomore in 1984, he registered 76 tackles, 11 sacks and 2 blocked kicks. He contributed to the team winning the Southland Conference and reaching the Division I-AA National championship game, where they lost 6-19 against Montana State University.[1]

He blocked 4 kicks as a junior. He was moved from defensive end to outside linebacker as a senior.

He started every game of his college career, finishing with 327 tackles, 38 sacks (school record), 23 pass break ups, 12 forced fumbles and 6 fumble recoveries.[2]

In 2013, he was inducted into the Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame.[3] He also was named to the Louisiana Tech All-Century football team.

Professional career

Johnson was selected by the Houston Oilers in the second round (46th overal) of the 1987 NFL Draft.[4] He was a backup at outside linebacker and special teams player for two seasons.

In 1989, he was signed as a Plan B free agent by the New Orleans Saints. He was a backup at outside linebacker behind Pat Swilling. He had 3 tackles and one blocked extra point.

In 1990, he signed as a Plan B free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, with the intention of playing him at defensive end. He was released on August 26.

In 1991, he signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. He was released on August 26.[5]

Personal life

Johnson volunteers as an assistant football coach at Ferriday High School. He owns a convenience store.

References
  1. "1984 Tech Team to be Honored at Halftime". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  2. "LA Tech Hall of Fame Class of 2013: Walter Johnson". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. "LA Tech Athletic Hall of Fame". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  5. "Transactions". New York Times. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
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