John Johnson was a multi-sport standout for Clements High School in the mid 1970’s. He was a dominating tackle on both lines of scrimmage for the Colts football team while setting a state record for the track and field team. 

Former Clements High School quarterback Jeff Bridges remembers Johnson as an easy going, always a smile on his face type of person but once Johnson put on the pads, the opposing teams were in trouble. “John was as nice a person as you ever wanted to meet,” said Bridges who was a sophomore during Johnson’s senior year at Clements. “But, once he lined up on the football field, he became a hand full for whoever lined up in front of him. John was a tremendous athlete. Maybe a little ahead of his time because you didn’t see many players back then who were 6’3” and weighed over 260 pounds with the quickness and athletic ability he possessed. John was just a good athlete. He could easily dunk a basketball and his track and field accomplishments were impressive.” 

Johnson would earn All-County and All-Area honors in football and would set the state record for the discus throw in Track and Field. After his graduation from Clements High School, the next football field he would call home would be in Oxford, MS as he signed a football scholarship with the University of Mississippi. He was a two-year starter for Ole Miss before transferring to the University of North Alabama. He would earn All-Gulf South honors as a defensive tackle for the Lions. He registered 64 tackles, five tackles for losses and two fumble recoveries during his career at UNA. 

Johnson’s High School coach Glenn Johnson says that his former player’s induction into the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame is a long time coming. “John is a great kid. Very deserving of the honor. When I coached John, he played on both of the line of scrimmages and I don’t remember him ever coming out of a game. He was so fast and quick for a player his size. I am proud of what John accomplished. He was the best interior lineman I ever saw,” said Johnson.