Niners Nation · May 10, 2024
Golden Nuggets: RIP Jimmy Johnson
“It reached the point when Johnson was at his peak that opponents rarely threw his way. He was Deion Sanders long before Prime Time hit the NFL.
“Jim doesn’t receive much publicity because the opposition avoids him as much as possible,” San Francisco quarterback John Brodie once said. “Talk to veteran quarterbacks like John Unitas and Bart Starr and they’ll tell you they call few pass patterns in Jimmy’s area. The only reason Johnson doesn’t lead the league in interceptions is he doesn’t get the chance.”
Former 49ers coach Dick Nolan once said Johnson was a better cornerback than two of his other players, Hall of Famer Mel Renfro and two-time All-Pro Cornell Green with the Cowboys.
