[2][3] Johnson, an Indigenous Australian from the Nepabunna Mission in rural South Australia, has been described as one of the most exciting footballers of his generation.
[4] On a wing in West Adelaide's 1961 Grand Final winning team, Johnson was the first indigenous footballer to play in a SANFL premiership.
[8] Johnson was cleared to North Melbourne just in time for the opening round of the 1965 VFL season and was rated his side's best player in what The Age described as a "brilliant debut".
[12][13] Early in the 1966 VFL season he spoke to the media expressing his unhappiness after being dropped from the team and threatened to request a clearance back to South Australia.
[14][15] In round three he had been omitted from the team to play St Kilda, but was a last minute inclusion when wingman Laurie Dwyer had to withdraw with injury.