Demetrious Johnson (American football)

Demetrious Johnson

No. 21, 23
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1961-07-21)July 21, 1961
Place of birth:	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Date of death:
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	McKinley (St. Louis, Missouri)
College:	Missouri
NFL draft:	1983 / Round: 2 / Pick: 31
Career history
Detroit Lions (1983–1986) Miami Dolphins (1987) 4x pro bowl 1984-1988
Career NFL statistics
Games played - started: 65 - 39 Sacks: 3.0 Interceptions: 5 Player stats at NFL.com

Demetrious Johnson (July 21, 1961 – December 24, 2022) was an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL), having played for the Detroit Lions and the Miami Dolphins.

Johnson was a native St. Louisan who grew up in the Darst-Webbe Housing Project. He was the youngest of eight children and was raised by a single parent. He attended his freshman year at pattonville high school. He then graduated from McKinley High School, and earned a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of Missouri, Columbia.

During his years at Columbia, Johnson was recognized as a premier defensive back, including Big 8 All Star. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education with a major in Counseling Psychology. Upon graduation, the Detroit Lions drafted him.

Johnson’s professional football career lasted 7 years. During his career, Johnson was the Lions' defensive captain and earned numerous awards, including Player of the Week. Johnson ended his professional and 2 time nfc defensive player of the year and 4x pro bowler. football career with the Miami Dolphins in 1990. In 1985 Johnson, led the Detroit lions in tackles with 186 and was 2nd in the league in interceptions.

Following his retirement from pro football, Johnson joined Sherwood Medical Company, which is now Covidien, as the National Sales Manager for the Athletic Sports Medicine Division.

Understanding the importance of the community recreation center during his childhood, Johnson started exploring ways to give back to his community. With a deep desire to encourage and support underprivileged children to reach their potential, Johnson founded the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Johnson was married to his high school sweetheart for over 25 years with whom he had three daughters: Ashley, Taylore, and Alexandria. He had one other daughter, Lakisha. Johnson also has a son Jalen Allen a junior who attends Pattonville High School. And a daughter Sidney Allen who attends St.Louis university

Johnson died on December 24, 2022, at the age of 61.