Johnson played college football for the Grambling State Tigers, and was a three-time first-team Little All-American selection.

[5][6] Johnson was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1975 NFL draft with the eight overall pick.

[9] After only five sacks in his first two seasons, he broke out with 13+1⁄2 in 1977, when defensive line coach Jerry Smith arrived from Baltimore.

The trio, along with Leroy Jones, formed a defensive frontline that was nicknamed the Bruise Brothers.

Don "Air" Coryell's Chargers teams of that era are mostly remembered for its high-scoring, pass-oriented offense.

Johnson was re-united with Dean, Kelcher and Billy Shields on the San Francisco 49ers, and together they won Super Bowl XIX.

Sports Illustrated called Johnson the Super Bowl's "unofficial defensive MVP" after he recorded one sack, flushed Miami quarterback Dan Marino out of the pocket numerous times, and had four unassisted tackles.

[15] Johnson suffered a stroke on July 20, 2010, and died on August 4 at the LSU Health Sciences Center in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana.