Johnny Davis (American football)
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| Position: | Fullback | ||||||||||
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| Date of birth: | July 17, 1956 | ||||||||||
| Place of birth: | Montgomery, Alabama | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Montgomery (AL) Sidney Lanier | ||||||||||
| College: | Alabama | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1978 / Round: 2 / Pick: 30 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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Johnny Lee Davis (born July 17, 1956) is a retired American football running back who played ten seasons in the NFL from (1978–1987). Davis won a Super Bowl Ring XVI with the San Francisco 49ers. He is a graduate of the prestigious Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery Alabama and The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
High School Career: Captain as a Senior at Sidney Lanier, 4-year letter winner for Coach Bill Joiner as RB/LB, Coach and Athlete Magazine High School All-America Team 1973, The Birmingham News First Team All-State 1973, All-Class 4A 1973, All-City 1973, Named Mr. Back in Montgomery – rushed for 1,152, 250 carries, 6 TD’s yards as a senior, AHSAA North-South All-Star Game 1974 – named the Most Valuable Back, Earned 5 letters in track – discuss and shotput.
College career (1974-1978)
Davis played for The University of Alabama under Coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant and is one of the Legendary "Wishbone Fullbacks". He Lettered 3 of the 4 years of his college career. Labeled by Coach Bryant as “the best fullback I’ve ever coached.” The Tuscaloosa News -11.23.1977. Nicknamed "Bull", Davis led the Crimson Tide in rushing in three of his four seasons at Alabama, and he ranked third all-time at Alabama with 2,519 career rushing yards on 447 attempts, 5.64 average yards per carry and 21 touchdowns.Alabama Team of the Decade 1970's, 2nd Team UPI All-America Team 1977, 1st Team All-SEC 1977, 2nd Team All-SEC 1976, 2nd Team All-SEC 1975, Named to the 1977 Churchmen Hall of Fame All-America Team – honors players for on-field performance and church work off-the-field, ABC-TV and Chevrolet Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game–vs. LSU 1977–126 yards on 23 carries, ABC-TV and Chevrolet Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game–vs. Auburn 1975 – 98 yards on 18 carries, Dixie Howell Memorial Award Winner 1975 Spring A-Day Game, Played in Orange Bowl, Liberty Bowl and two Sugar Bowls, Top rusher in inaugural matchup vs. Ohio State with 95 yards on 24 rushing attempts leading Crimson Tide to 38-6 shellacking of the Buckeyes in 1978 Sugar Bowl as a senior, Invited to the 1978 Senior Bowl, Named the South’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the 1978 Senior Bowl – led the South with 109 rushing yards on 23 carries and scored a touchdown Alabama School Records Ranks ninth in career rushing with 2,519 yards, the only fullback in the top ten Ranks fourth with 5.64 per carry career average minimum of 400 attempts – highest ever for fullback Ranks third with 6.67 per carry single season average minimum 100 attempts (1975 season)– highest ever for fullback Led team in rushing three consecutive years 1975-77 While at Alabama, Johnny and Ozzie Newsome were roommates throughout their college careers and still remain "best" friends to this day. Davis is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Alabama School Records: Ranks ninth in career rushing with 2,519 yards, the only fullback in the top ten Ranks fourth with 5.64 per carry career average minimum of 400 attempts–highest ever for fullback Ranks third with 6.67 per carry single season average minimum 100 attempts (1975 season)–highest ever for fullback Led team in rushing three consecutive years 1975-77 Tied for seventh with seven career 100 - yard rushing performances Most 100-yard rushing performances by a fullback–seven Longest run from scrimmage seasons: 1976 (58 yards, TD vs. LSU), 1975 (66 yards, TD vs.TCU) Most rushing yards single game for seasons: 1977 (153 yards vs. Vanderbilt), 1975 (155 yards vs. Washington)
Alabama Statistical Highlights 1977–931 rushing yards (2nd in SEC), 182 attempts, 5.1 average, 5 TD’s 1976–668 rushing yards (9th in SEC), 119 attempts, 5.6 average, 7 TD’s 1975–820 rushing yards (5th in SEC), 123 attempts, 6.7 average, 7 TD’s 1974–100 rushing yards, 23 attempts, 4.3 average 4 career receptions for 80 yards Best statistics for an individual game – vs. Washington 1975, 155 yards rushing on 13 carries and 3 rushing TD’s (31 yards, 51 yards, 6 yards) 2,599 total career yards from scrimmage, 451 plays, 5.8 yards per play, 19 TD’s SEC Champions 1974, 1975, 1977 Alabama 1974-77 W-L record (42-6)
Professional career
NFL 10 -year Career Highlights Davis was Drafted in Round 2, number 30th overall in 1978 by Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1981, he went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers, where he won a Super Bowl XVI ring. Nicknamed "Goal Line", he averaged a touchdown every 13 times he carried the ball for the 49ers. In 1982 he signed with the Cleveland Browns and once again, he was back on the field with his college roommate and best friend Ozzie Newsome. While with the Browns, he was nicknamed the "B1 Bomber". He retired from the NFL in 1988 after 10 years. He was a tough inside runner and considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history. 119 regular season games, started 32, 1,200 total career yards from scrimmage, 15 rushing TD’s, 1,094 rushing yards, 314 rushing attempts, 3.5 average, 22 receptions, 106 receiving yards
First African-American player from The University of Alabama to win a Super Bowl, Super Bowl XVI, San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl season - third leading scorer and third best rusher, 42 points 7 TD’s - played in all 19 games 5 as starter. Scored TD in 1982 NFC Championship Game defeating the Dallas Cowboys as part of San Francisco 49ers First Super Bowl Team, Played in 1986 AFC Championship Game with Cleveland Browns. Received “Captain’s Award” in 1984-an honor voted by his teammates as the individual representing the essence of being a Cleveland Browns player. Earned two game balls for special teams play with Cleveland Browns. Described by those who know him in the Cleveland Browns media guide as “unselfish, hard-working and always smiling. B-1 is a powerful blocker and an excellent kickoff coverage man.” A blocking fullback for Tampa Bay Buccaneers Davis opening holes for tailback Ricky Bell's finest rushing season in 1979–won the NFC Central Division. Played in 1980 NFC Championship Game with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Played for Head Coaches: Paul W. Bryant - Alabama John McKay - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bill Walsh - San Francisco 49ers Sam Rutigliano - Cleveland Browns Marty Schottenheimer - Cleveland Browns
Post-football
Johnny Davis worked as an advertising sales manager for 20 years. He currently works as an Educator, is a motivational speaker and conducts football camps for kids. In addition, Davis is an accomplished professional jazz and gospel pianist. Working in the town of West New York, NJ