A Tribute to Jim Johnson, RIP

Jim Johnson made a career out of believing that the best defense was one that was offensive minded and attacked the opposition. In his personal life there was one opponent he could not attack enough to stop and that was cancer. Jim Johnson's personal defense finally broke and he passed away at age 68 succumbing to a tumor on his spine that eventually spread throughout his body.

However, throughout his life he was a consummate winner. Johnson was born in 1941 in Maywood, IL. and played quarterback for legendary coach Dan Devine at the University of Missouri. Devine in a 1999 interview said of Johnson, "Jim was one of our best players. After being a defensive halfback his junior year, he was our starting quarterback his senior year."

Following college Jim went on to spend 22 years in NFL as an assistant coach. During his latest stint as the Defensive Coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles Johnson's defense lead the team to five NFC title game appearances and one Superbowl appearance.

An innovator and a genius when it came to defense crafting some of the most complex schemes in league, Jim's defenses were know for blitzing constantly. His players flew around the line of scrimmage keeping even the most potent offenses off balance and in check. Johnson's style was aggressive. He was intent on forcing the offense into mistakes by coming with pressure from every angle at every level of the defense. Many considered him to be one of the sharpest minds in the NFL.

Players, coaches, fans, and everyone who knew him will remember him as a man of utmost integrity and honesty. Johnson was a straight shooter and paid due respect to everyone. Coach Reid said, "He really represented everything this city is all about, with his toughness and grit,that’s the way he fought this cancer."

Johnson tended to face the worst disappointments with humor and quiet dignity. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said on hearing the news, "There has been no finer coach or man than Jim Johnson, it doesn't get much sadder."

Jim Johnson is survived by his mourning wife Vicky, two children, four grand children and a multitude of NFL coaches who owe their jobs to all that Jim taught them. Jim Johnson, we will miss you dearly.