Demetrious Johnson (July 21, 1961 – December 24, 2022) was an American professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

player in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL), having played for the

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...

and the

Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...

. 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

drafted him. Johnson’s professional football career lasted five years, ending with the

in 1987. During his career, Johnson was the Lions' defensive captain and earned numerous awards, including Player of the Week. In 1985 Johnson, led the Detroit Lions in tackles with 186 and was second in the league in interceptions. Following his retirement from pro football, Johnson joined Sherwood Medical Company, which is now

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, 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 Johnson 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.Demetrious Johnson, former Mizzou, NFL player and charity organizer, dies at 61
/ref> Johnson is buried at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Demetrious 1961 births 2022 deaths Players of American football from St. Louis American football safeties Missouri Tigers football players Detroit Lions players Miami Dolphins players NFL replacement players