The 2018 recipient of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Outstanding American award, Johnson was a retired linebacker who played 11 seasons of professional football including nine seasons in the National Football League. Recruited into wrestling by Hall-of-Fame coach Gordy Patrick, Johnson was the state runner-up at 185 pounds for West Carteret High School in 1980. He then enjoyed a stellar football career at North Carolina State University, graduating in 1984. Johnson was drafted in the first round by the United States Football League where he played two seasons with the Jacksonville Bulls. The USFL folded in 1985 and he was then drafted into the NFL, playing for the New Orleans Saints from 1986-1993 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994. Johnson was a four-time Pro Bowl selection from 1989-1992 while with the Saints and a member of the vaunted “Dome Patrol” of linebacking corps, one of the most formidable "3-4" defenses in NFL history. In 2000, Johnson was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame and in 2011 was selected for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. After retiring from football in 1994, Johnson and his family returned home to North Carolina. Johnson was the owner and operater of Concrete Curbing Express Inc., in Morehead City and served the Coach Hope Foundation, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Full Gospel Businessman’s Association, Glad Tidings Church Board of Directors, and the Prison Ministry in Newport, NC.  Johnson remained connected to the West Carteret football and wrestling programs, inspiring hard work, discipline, and good study habits among the West Carteret athletes.