Johnson was one of the Negro league's foremost power hitters in the 1920s, reportedly weighing 250 pounds, and known for hitting home runs.

"[4] Johnson was part of the all-black 25th Infantry Wreckers, a teammate of other future Negro leaguers including Bullet Rogan, Lemuel Hawkins, and Dobie Moore.

He briefly played for the St. Louis Giants in 1920 while on Army furlough,[1] hitting .300 in three games,[5] but did not join the Negro leagues until his discharge in 1922.

In his rookie season with the Kansas City Monarchs, Johnson batted .406,[5] and posted a .345 average in the Cuban winter league.

[3] Former pitcher Bill "Plunk" Drake said that Johnson was once sleeping on the bench when he was awoken and told to pinch-hit; he grabbed a fungo bat and hit a home run.