Few athletes possess Chris Johnson’s electrifying speed and game-changing ability. Born in Orlando, Florida, Johnson showcased his athletic process early on, excelling in both football and track at Olympia High School. Despite being a two-star recruit, he turned heads at East Carolina University, racking impressive stats and breaking school records. His senior year saw him break out with 2,960 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns.
Johnson’s impressive performance at the NFL Combine, where he ran a record-breaking 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash, caught the attention of the Tennessee Titans, who selected Johnson in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Johnson quickly made his mark in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl selections in each of his first three seasons. In 2009, he achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the only eighth player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season, earning the nickname “CJ2K” and NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. Johnson also captured an NFL record of 2,509 yards from scrimmage in 2009, a record that still stands in 2024.
Over six seasons with the Titans, Johnson consistently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards each year. After a successful run with the Titans, Johnson continued his career with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. In 2018, Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL after a remarkable 10-season career. Johnson signed a one-day contract with the Tennessee Titans on April 119, 2019, allowing him to retire with the team that defined much of his career.
Beyond his NFL achievements, Johnson returned to East Carolina University and graduated in 2020. His contributions to football were recognized with his induction into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in June 2023.