Andre Johnson

Andre Lamont Johnson (born July 11, 1981) is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game (80.7 yds/game) for a career. He played collegiate football at the University of Miami.

High school career

Johnson attended Miami Senior High School, where he graduated in 1999 and was rated as one of the top prospects in the country. As a senior Johnson caught 32 passes for 931 yards and was named a Parade All-American.

College career

Johnson enrolled at University of Miami, where he was a standout wide receiver on the Hurricanes' successful football team. He was MVP of the 2002 Rose Bowl, where quarterback Ken Dorsey connected with Johnson for 2 touchdowns and 199 yards. Johnson finished his University of Miami career catching 92 passes for 1,831 yards (19.9 avg.) and 20 touchdowns. His 1,831 receiving yards is ranked fifth on the University of Miami's all-time career list.

While at Miami, Johnson also ran for UM's track and field team. In 2002, he won the Big East 60 meter dash (6.83 seconds) at the Big East Indoor Championship and followed that up by winning the 100 meter dash (10.59 seconds) at the Big East Outdoor Championships.

Professional career

2003 NFL Draft

The Houston Texans chose Johnson with the 3rd overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Houston Texans

Johnson was the number three overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Johnson severed ties with NFL agents Michael Huegue and Jeff Moorad before hiring sports attorney Don West, Jr. to negotiate Johnson's rookie contract with the Texans.^[2] Johnson was signed to a six-year $39 million dollar contract and Johnson was able to start training camp on time due to a timely contract negotiation. Johnson's rookie contract included over $13.501 million in guaranteed compensation.^[3] In Johnson's rookie season, he started and played in all 16 games, recording 66 receptions for 976 yards and 4 touchdowns. His breakout year came in 2004 when he combined with Texans QB David Carr to record 79 catches for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns and be selected to his first Pro Bowl.

In the 2005 season, however, Johnson only played 13 games due to injury and had a lackluster 63 receptions with 688 yards and 2 touchdowns. Back from injury in 2006, Johnson led the NFL in receptions with 103 for 1,147 yards and 5 TDs, on his way to the Pro Bowl, once again.

On March 3, 2007, the Texans signed Johnson to a six year extension; the deal is worth $60 million and includes $15 million in guarantees.^[4]

In 2007, Johnson missed 7 games due to injury. He returned mid-season to finish with 851 receiving yards and a career-high 8 receiving touchdowns. He led the league in receiving yards per game in 2007 with 95.6.

On December 14, 2008, Johnson recorded his first 200 yard game with 207 yards and 1 touchdown in the Texans' 13–12 win over the Titans. Johnson finished the 2008 season recording career highs in receptions and receiving yards totaling 115 receptions for 1575 yards (both of which lead the league) and TD receptions with 8. This same season, Johnson became the first player in NFL history to record 7 games with at least 10 receptions

After finishing the 2009 season with 101 catches for 1569 yards and 9 touchdowns(a new career high), Johnson joined Jerry Rice as the only two receivers since the merger to lead the league in receiving yards in consecutive seasons.^[5]

On August 4, 2010, Johnson became the highest paid receiver in NFL History when he signed a two year contract extension, keeping him under contract until the 2016 season.

On November 28, 2010, Johnson fought Tennessee Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan during their week 12 game in Houston. Their helmets were pulled off during the fight, Finnegan threw off Johnson's helmet, tripped and fell to the ground and was punched on the top of his head while on his hands and knees. Both players were ejected,^[6] and avoided suspensions, but were fined $25,000 for their actions.^[2] He was invited to the 2011 Pro Bowl.

Personal

In 2003, Johnson's rookie season, he founded the Andre Johnson Foundation for children and teens growing up in single-parent homes. He also has a baby girl who was born in February 2010.

References

External links

• Andre Johnson on Twitter
• Houston Texans bio