CChristopher Duan Johnson, born on 23 September 1985 in Orlando, Florida, is an American Football player, a famous running back in the National Football League (NFL). He started his career in college and successfully turned into being a professional football player. Johnson is known to be one of the fastest players in the NFL and one of its top offensive stars.
So just how rich is the famous running back? It has been reported that his net worth reaches $62 million, as of early 2016. He has acquired this wealth during his career as a professional football player since 2008, as well as by his successful endorsement deals.
Chris Johnson Net Worth $62 Million
Johnson’s school years in the field were a sign of the things to come – he attended Olympia High School in Orlando, earning second place in the 100 meters at the Florida 4A state Championship in 2004, during his senior year. The same year he posted personal bests of 10.50 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.28 seconds in the 200 meters. He chose to attend East Carolina University where he became a member of the East Carolina Pirates team. Johnson became an instant contributor to the Pirates, breaking out for over 1,500 all-purpose yards in his freshman year. This led the player to be named to the Conference USA All-Freshmen Squad as a running back. He proved a valuable runner in his sophomore year too, becoming the team leader with 1,499 all-purpose yards and setting a school record with 67 career receptions. Due to injuries, Johnson made only five starts during his junior year, however, he contributed to the team as a kick returner and was selected to the All-Conference USA first-team as a return specialist. During his senior season, Johnson became the nation’s all-purpose yardage leader with 212.7 yards per game. He was named first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly. In all, Johnson broke out for 2,960 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns, becoming the third all-time leading rusher in the history of East Carolina University.
In 2008 Johnson entered the NFL, chosen by the Tennessee Titans as the 24th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, after running a record-tying 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was the highest player since 1992 from East Carolina University to have been selected. Johnson signed a five-year $12 million contract with guaranteed compensation of $7 million, considerably raising his wealth.
He led the team in rushing yards and was ranked second in AP Rookie of the Year during his first season; he was also named to the 2009 Pro Bowl. Johnson’s second season with the Titans was rated to be one of the most extraordinary seasons by a running back in the league’s history. He won the NFL rushing title with 2,006 yards and an NFL record 2,509 yards from scrimmage. This led the player to be named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. In the following season he was selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl. Although the 2011 season was believed to be the worst one in his career, it brought him a $53.5 million contract extension, with guaranteed compensation of $30 million. He became the highest paid running back with an $8 million salary in 2012 and $9 million in 2013, his last year with the Titans.
Johnson signed a three-year $9 million per year contract with the New York Jets in 2014. However, in the 2015 off season, the Jets declined the second year of his contract after a frustrating season with below average carry and yardage totals.
He then signed a one-year $2 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. However, he was soon placed on the injured reserve with a designation to return list, due to a fractured tibia. He has been set to become an unrestricted free agent since. Sources believe that he has been offered a choice between the Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins.
There is not much information known about the personal, private life of the famous running back. However, sources reported that he was once arrested in Orlando and charged with the open carrying of a firearm, a second-degree misdemeanor. Then, in 2015 he made headlines being wounded in a drive-by shooting in which a friend of his died and another one was wounded. Johnson was shot in the right shoulder but, fortunately, soon recovered.
In charity activities, reportedly he was working with The Key Alliance in Nashville, supporting Project Homeless Connect, an event that provides a number of services to people struggling with homelessness.
