Jimmy Johnson dead at 86: Tributes pour in for San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famer

San Francisco 49ers legend and NFL Hall-of-Famer Jimmy Johnson has died at the age of 86.

Johnson was a first-round pick in the 1961 NFL Draft out of UCLA, and he played his entire 15-year professional career with San Francisco before retiring in 1976.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

In a statement on X, the 49ers posted: ‘The 49ers are saddened to learn of the passing of Jimmy Johnson. Our organization sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends.’

Johnson played wide receiver for his early years in the NFL, before moving to cornerback in 1964, where he really earned his reputation.

He was a first-team All-Pro selections four times in his career, a four-time second team selection and was also voted into the league’s All-Decade team for the 1970s.

Johnson wore No. 37 for the 49ers, a number which has since been retired by the team in honor of their former player. 

His family informed the Pro Football Hall of Fame that he had died on Wednesday night. No cause of death has yet been announced.  

In a statement, Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said: ‘Jimmy Johnson was extraordinarily athletically talented. The 49ers enjoyed the luxury of using him on offense and defense early in his career to fill team needs.

‘Once he settled in at left cornerback, he flourished. The notion that a “lockdown” cornerback could cut the field in half for the opposition was true with Jimmy.

‘Only rarely would other teams’ quarterbacks even look his direction, and more often than not regretted the decision if they challenged him.’