Larry Johnson:
Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs

About Larry Johnson:

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has developed himself into one of the premiere backs in the game today. Johnson has responded to a starting role with back-to-back Pro-Bowl seasons after racking up over 3,500 yards in the past two seasons.

After injuries to Derrick Blaylock and Priest Holmes at the start of the 2005 season, third-year pro Larry Johnson stepped up, and on November 20 against the Houston Texans ran for a Chiefs' record 211 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns after the injury to Holmes.

By the end of the 2005 regular season, Johnson had nine consecutive games with 100+ rushing yards, passing the 100 yard mark in every start for the Chiefs that season and earning a Pro Bowl berth. During the final game of the 2005 regular season, Johnson set a new franchise record of 1,750 rushing yards in one season, despite not starting 7 games during the season. He eclipsed the mark previously held by Holmes. In addition to his running ability, Johnson was an adept receiver. In 2005, Johnson caught 33 balls for 343 yards, averaging over 10 yards per reception. Johnson was also named the 2005 MVP of the Kansas City Chiefs.

With injuries limiting Holmes during the last two seasons, Johnson began the 2006 season as Kansas City's featured back. He ran for 1,700+ yards over the course of the season (second in the league) while also establishing a new record for most carries on a season (416). At the conclusion of the season, Johnson would make his second Pro Bowl appearance for his efforts.

Following his senior season at Penn State University, Johnson was the recipient of the Doak Walker Award (top running back), the Maxwell Award (top college player), and the Walter Camp Award (top college player) after his impressive 2002 season, one in which he rushed for over 2,000 yards. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Arts.

Johnson's 8.02 yards per carry in 2002 broke 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier's NCAA record for highest average per carry over the course of the regular season. Remarkably, Johnson also broke the Penn State record for rushing yards in a game three times in 2002. Johnson surpassed the 2,000 mark by gaining 279 yards on just 19 attempts in the Nittany Lions' final Big Ten conference game against Michigan State in which all 279 of his rushing yards came in the first half.

Johnson is the oldest of three children, born to Christine and Larry Johnson, Sr. His father, Larry Johnson, Sr., is the current defensive line coach at Penn State University. Johnson attended State College Area High School in State College, Pennsylvania, where he rushed for 2,159 yards.

Legacy and Growth Youth Foundation:

LJ’s Legacy and Growth Youth Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of youth and promoting development through collaborative partnerships. The foundation is making a difference with today’s children by nurturing positive thinking, behavior and attitudes that foster a strong self image.

He became the first player in the NFL to adopt the Junior Player Development (JPD) program. A program seeking to ready middle school-aged children for the rigors of high school football, JPD has now completed a pair of successful seasons locally thanks in part to Johnson’s visits and guidance on the practice field. All JPD participants receive counseling through a life skills/character development curriculum that’s incorporated throughout all on-field activities. Every week, a different life skills message is designated as a theme. Those themes are then addressed through the context of football. Instructors will make connections between life skills as they are applied in football as well as other areas of life, especially school, at home and in the community. Johnson has even sponsored a pair of local youth teams.

A collegiate Penn State Nittany Lion, Johnson appropriately sponsored “LJ’s Young Lions” in both a tee-ball and pee wee football format. In addition to helping finance the equipment and uniforms for these aspiring athletes, he also hosted these children at a Chiefs home game during the 2005 season.

Johnson made a visit to ReStart a center that services homeless men, women, and families with children and provides emergency and transitional shelter and support services. During his visit he not only financed the dinner, but also helped serve the holiday meal for 300 individuals who were calling the organization home that evening. He made it a point to help serve the food so that he could get a true sense of what the meal meant to those involved.

Larry has eight Kansas City, MO schools participating in his 2.7 GPA incentive program. He is also a sponsor for Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, held at the Chiefs Practice Facility, which allows 1,500 children to attend.

Read the Full Larry Johnson Bio