Tim Johnson (linebacker) facts for kids

Tim Maurice Johnson (born February 7, 1978) is a former National Football League Player gridiron football linebacker. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Youngstown State. Johnson was also a member of the Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders and Calgary Stampeders.

Professional career

National Football League (NFL)

During his seven-year NFL career, Tim played for the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, NFL-Europe Rhein Fire (World Bowl X), and Oakland Raiders. In 2002, Johnson assisted the Raiders in advancing to Super Bowl XXXVII, where he blocked a Tampa Bay punt that Oakland returned for a touchdown. Tim ended his professional football career in 2009 with the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders.

Tim Johnson is most known for his impression of teammate Shannon Sharpe on HBO's first season of Hard Knocks in 2001, his Blocked Punt for the Oakland Raiders against Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII which was returned for a touchdown and was awarded Special Teams Player Of-The-Year by teammate Jerry Rice.

Post-playing career

Head Impact Prevention Football League (HIP)

Tim Johnson, CEO of Head Impact Prevention Football League, Inc., which changes the way we approach and play the game. Tim applied his 7-year NFL experience directly to HIP Football and will share his knowledge across the entire spectrum of football as the game continues to evolve. HIP has changed the type of helmet and shoulder pads players wear, in an attempt to address the concussion issue that plagues the football community.

By removing the face-mask from the helmet, HIP has taken a level of violence out of the game, allowing your child to become a smarter and healthier student athlete, while preserving their brain and body for the future. HIP Football is 11 vs 11 football as you know it, just emphasizing no head to head contact,

2-hand tag (hip/side), no tackling. It's key that football is taught in a full team environment which includes all 11 positions on both sides of the ball. HIP football allows all participants to play the game at a fast pace while learning proper alignment, assignment and technique through consistent repetitions and film study. These mental skills will carry over to the playing field producing smarter football players.

Maintaining a healthy mind and body throughout the learning process is key and important to your child's success at home, in the classroom, on the field and in the community. HIP translates to 11-man tackle football better than any other alternative in existence.

Public Speaking Engagements

Johnson has been a frequent motivational guest speaker at events all across the country, supporting youth and adults.

International Polo Tour

Johnson has been following the 2024 International Polo Tour season and is looking forward to playing in the 2025 season.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Coaching career

Johnson later returned to his alma mater Youngstown State where he was hired as Director of Player Personnel.

At a February 27, 2021 game against the Northern Iowa Panthers, Johnson lowered his shoulder and hit a UNI player that was running out of bounds. Johnson was banned from the sidelines for the remainder of the season action.

Early life and education

A native of Fairfield, Alabama, Tim Johnson graduated from Fairfield High School in 1996 where he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. After graduating, he attended the University of West Alabama, East Mississippi Junior College, and later transferring to Youngstown State University in Ohio where he played for two seasons emerging as a star linebacker. Tim was a finalist for the NCAA Division 1-AA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2000 and was inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. His professional football career launched when he was signed as an un-drafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, where he starred on HBO HARDKNOCKS.