Jovon Johnson

Jovon Johnson (born November 2, 1983) is a former professional Canadian football defensive back. He was the winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2011 while with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, becoming the first defensive back to win the award in the league. He is also a two-time CFL All-Star and five-time CFL East Division All-Star. In addition, he was a member of the 2007 Saskatchewan Roughriders that won the Grey Cup, though he spent little time on the active roster and finished the last game on the practice roster. He has also been a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Erie RiverRats, Ottawa Redblacks, and Montreal Alouettes.

Jovon Johnson
No. 2
Born: (1983-11-02) November 2, 1983
Erie, Pennsylvania
Career information
StatusRetired
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)CB
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight177 lb (80 kg)
CollegeIowa
Career history
As player
2006Pittsburgh Steelers
2007Saskatchewan Roughriders
2008Erie RiverRats
2008–2013Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2014–2015Ottawa Redblacks
2016–2017Montreal Alouettes
2017–2018Saskatchewan Roughriders
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star2009, 2011
CFL East All-Star2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015
Honors2007 Grey Cup champion
2011 CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award
Career stats

High school and collegiate career

Johnson played his high school ball (and basketball) at Mercyhurst Prep in Erie, Pennsylvania, graduating in 2002. He attended the University of Iowa, a 4-year starter in the Hawkeyes secondary.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers after cornerback Chidi Iwuoma and linebacker Richard Seigler were placed on injured reserve. He spent all of his playing time on the Steelers' special teams recording 1 tackle and 1 assist. He was released from the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 27, 2007.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Johnson on October 5, 2007, to a contract with and placed on their Developmental Squad. He made his CFL debut October 21, 2007, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In total, he dressed in eight games while playing in two. He was a member of the 95th Grey Cup championship team, although he did not play in the game itself.

Erie RiverRats

At the end of February in 2008, he was signed by his hometown Erie RiverRats of the AIFA.[1] In early 2007 he had signed to play with the city's previous AIFA franchise, the now defunct Erie Freeze, but did not play for the Freeze and decided to play for the Steelers instead.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Johnson was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in April 2008 and started 17 of 18 games during the 2008 CFL season. He led the Bombers in defensive tackles with 57 and added 3 INTs.

He then returned to RiverRats for the 2009 AIFA season following a contract signing in January 2009. He was still under contract in the CFL however the season starts later in the year which would allow him to play in the AIFA.[2] After only one game, it was found out that there was a clause in Johnson's contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that prevents him from playing with any other team.[3] With that, he returned to Winnipeg.

The 2011 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season proved to be a successful one for Johnson, helping to lead the Bombers to their first division title in ten years. He was part of a noteworthy Bombers' defence that had self-titled itself 'Swaggerville' and was named the CFL East Division's most outstanding defensive player.[4] Following this, Johnson was named a CFL East Division all-star for the third consecutive time, as well as being named to his second CFL All-Star team a short time later.[5][6] Johnson followed this up with an appearance as the first defensive back to win the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award.[7] He won the award as the standout player on a team full of talented defensive backs who led the league in fewest passing yards allowed, holding opponents to the lowest pass completion percentage, and led the league with most team interceptions. Johnson accomplished this with teammates such as Jonathan Hefney, Alex Suber, and Brandon Stewart.[8] Johnson continued to play at a high level for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Through 6 seasons with the Blue Bombers, Johnson amassed 363 tackles, 8 special teams tackles, 23 interceptions, 8 fumble recoveries and 7 defensive touchdowns. Following the 2013 Johnson, age 30, was not re-signed by the Bombers, becoming a free agent on February 11, 2014.

Ottawa Redblacks

On February 12, 2014, Johnson signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.[9] He recorded the first two sacks of his career during a forgettable 2014 season that saw the expansion club finish 2-16. The next year, however, the Redblacks finished first in the CFL East Division and Johnson was named an Eastern All-Star for the fifth time in his career.[10]

Montreal Alouettes

Johnson was signed by the Montreal Alouettes on February 10, 2016.[11] Johnson played in all 18 games during his first season with the Alouettes. Johnson was released by the Alouettes on June 17, 2017 as teams trimmed their rosters down to 46 players for the start of the season.[12]

Saskatchewan Roughriders (II)

On June 19, 2017 the Roughriders announced that Johnson had been added to the team's practice roster.[13] Johnson dressed for all 18 games for the Riders and contributed with 39 defensive tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble. Following the season Johnson and the Riders agreed to a contract extension.[14]

Johnson signed a one-day contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on March 2, 2020, to retire with the team.[15]

Statistics
Regular season   Tackles   Interceptions   Fumbles
Year Team Tackles STT Sacks Int Yards Long TD FF FR Yards Long TD
2007 SSK 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008 WPG 57 4 0 3 130 80 2 2 2 0 0 0
2009 WPG 75 2 0 6 163 73 1 0 0 0 0 0
2010 WPG 62 0 0 4 59 55 1 2 0 0 0 0
2011 WPG 55 0 0 8 104 67 2 0 0 0 0 0
2012 WPG 52 3 0 1 27 27 0 2 4 0 0 0
2013 WPG 62 0 0 1 17 17 0 0 2 48 48 1
2014 OTT 37 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2015 OTT 54 0 0 5 53 26 0 0 4 0 0 0
2016 MTL 59 0 6 3 32 21 0 1 1 0 0 0
2017 SSK 39 0 0 2 42 42 1 1 2 47 47 0
CFL totals 543 9 8 34 585 80 7 9 14 95 48 2

References
  1. http://www.erieriverrats.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=229&Itemid=1
  2. http://www.erieriverrats.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=326&Itemid=49
  3. "Erie RiverRats search for solutions to sickness, injuries". Erie Times-News. March 28, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  4. Adam Wazny (November 9, 2011). "Bombers' Johnson gets defensive player nod for East". Winnipeg Free Press.
  5. Adam Wazny (November 10, 2011). "Eight Bombers named to East Division All-Star Team". Winnipeg Free Press.
  6. Paul Wiecek (November 16, 2011). "Five Bombers chosen as CFL all-stars". Winnipeg Free Press.
  7. Paul Wiecek (November 24, 2011). "JoJo just outstanding". Winnipeg Free Press.
  8. "Johnson named CFL's top Defensive Player". CFL. November 24, 2011.
  9. Johnson signs with Redblacks
  10. Nine Redblacks named to East Division All-Star squad
  11. "Alouettes Sign Veteran Corner Jovon Johnson; Re-sign Ellis". CFL. February 10, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  12. "DB Johnson among notable CFL final cuts - Article - TSN". TSN. June 17, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  13. "Roughriders sign veteran DB Johnson to practice roster - Article - TSN". TSN. June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  14. "Roughriders re-sign veteran DB Johnson - Article - TSN". TSN. December 21, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  15. M., Rheanne (March 2, 2020). "Jovon Johnson Signs One-Day Contract to Retire a Member of the Blue Bombers". BlueBombers.com. Retrieved March 2, 2020.

Further reading
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