Jeff Johnson
No. 33
Born: (1977-02-28) February 28, 1977
Toronto, Ontario
Career information
CFL statusNational
Position(s)RB
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight206 lb (93 kg)
UniversityYork University
CFL Draft2000 / Undrafted
Career history
As player
2000–2001Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2002–2013Toronto Argonauts
Career highlights and awards
Awards
  • CIS’s Outstanding Rookie (1996)
Honours
  • CFL Offensive Player of Week 17, 2005

Jeff Johnson (born February 28, 1977) is a former professional Canadian football running back who played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Early years

In high-school, Johnson played at the Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, one of Toronto's oldest high-schools, located in Etobicoke. He first played football in Grade 12 when he was asked to try out for the football team.[1] Playing tailback, Johnson led the Etobicoke Rams in offensive, and special teams yards throughout his two football seasons. In his final year at E.C.I. Johnson won the athlete of the year award and to this day holds the Ram's record for most total touchdowns scored throughout high-school.

After high school, Johnson starred at York University in Toronto from 1996 to 1999. He was named the CIAU’s outstanding rookie in 1996 and an Ontario University Athletics First-Team All-Star in 1996, 1997, and 1999. He was a CIAU Second-Team All-Canadian in 1997 and 1999. In his final year at York, Johnson had 173 carries for 977 yards with five rushing touchdowns, 11 receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown, and 196 yards on 11 kickoff returns.[2] Over his four-year York Lions (York Yeomen at the time) career, Johnson had a total of 553 carries for 3,365 yards with 18 touchdowns rushing, 37 pass receptions for 436 yards with two touchdowns, and 28 kickoff returns for 776 yards and one touchdown.

In 2017 he was inducted into the York University Sport Hall of Fame at the Dinner and Induction Ceremony, September 22, 2017. Fellow inductees included Peter Bedard (Tennis), Melanie Roach (Hockey), Greg Rolston (Hockey), Frank Cosentino (Football Coach and York University Administrator) and Patricia Murray (Coach Badminton and Swimming and York University Administrator).

Jeff Johnson (BA '00) is one of the most decorated football players at York. He burst onto the scene in 1996, winning the Peter Gorman Trophy as CIS rookie of the year to become the first national major award winner in program history, and the Norm Marshall Trophy as OUA rookie of the year. He was honoured throughout his career at the conference and national levels, earning three OUA first-team all-star selections (1996, 1997, 1999) and two CIS second-team all-Canadian awards (1997, 1999). He holds the York record for most career rushing yards (3,358) and carries (553) and ranks third in yards per carry (6.1). Johnson signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as an undrafted free agent in 2000 and went on to a 14-year career in the CFL, spending two seasons in Hamilton and 12 in Toronto and winning a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts in 2004 and 2012.

Professional career

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Johnson went undrafted in the 2000 CFL Draft but was signed as free agent by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 12, 2000.[2]

Toronto Argonauts

On February 22, 2002, Johnson signed with the Toronto Argonauts as a free agent. On December 20, 2013, following his 14th season in the CFL, Johnson announced his retirement.[3]

Sportscasting career

From 2011 to 2017, Johnson served as the colour analyst for the Toronto Argonauts radio broadcasts on TSN 1050 alongside play-by-play voice Mike Hogan.

References

  1. ↑ Warmington, Joe (November 15, 2013). "Mimico kid plans to help Argos back to Grey Cup". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Jeff Johnson". Roster. Toronto Argonauts Football Club. Archived from the original on 2008-10-21. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  3. ↑ "Argos' Johnson retires after 14-year CFL career". Canadian Football League. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
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