Derrick Johnson is a Texas product born and raised in Waco. As a linebacker for Waco High, Johnson led the Lions to the 5A quarterfinals both in his junior and senior season. In the course of his last two years with the Lions, he finished with 357 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and four interceptions. His senior year brought more success and established him as the top linebacker recruit in the state. As a result, he earned a spot on the Texas Football Super Team and played in the inaugural U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2001. During his time at Waco High, he accumulated honors being named a two-time Parade All-American, three-time All-District team, and two-time All-state pick.
As a true freshman at the University of Texas (2001-’04), Johnson played 13 games and finished with 83 tackles, 57 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. He was awarded UT’s Outstanding Defensive Newcomer Award, Big-12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year, and Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News and Football Writers Association of American. The awards piled up over the next three years as he was a First-team All-Big 12 pick in 2001, ‘02, and ‘03. His senior year, Johnson racked up more honors with a consensus first-team All-American selection, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Dick Butkus Award, and Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner. Johnson’s name is in the UT football record books as he still holds the record for tackles for loss (65) and interceptions by an LB (9). Some of his career stats like 458 career tackles (3rd), 11 careers forced fumbles (t-3rd), 195 career return yards (3rd), and 281 solo tackles (4th) still rank in the record books.
Johnson’s career then took him to Kansas City after being taken in the 1st round, 15th overall by the Chiefs in the 2005 Draft. From 2005-’17, he was a part of four Pro-Bowl teams (2011-’13, & ‘15) and was selected First-team All-Pro in 2011& 2013. In 2018, he played one season for the Raiders before signing a one-day contract with Kansas City and retiring as a Chief. In 2015, Johnson helped secure Andy Reid’s first playoff victory during the wild card round with six solo tackles against the Houston Texans. They would advance to the playoffs for the remainder of Johnson’s career with the Chiefs. During his time with Kansas, his talents were recognized throughout his career as he received the club’s Mack Lee Hill Award, given to the team’s top rookie, and the Derrick Thomas Award, team MVP, in 2011. Through his 182 games with the Chiefs, he started 169 of those games. He is the Chiefs franchise leader in tackles with 1,262 total and finished his career with four defensive touchdowns, 14 interceptions – four of these being returned for touchdowns, 23 forced fumbles, 27.5 sacks, and 40 quarterback hits.
He was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2015, the University of Texas Hall of Honor in 2019, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
