Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 86)
We are at day 86 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 86.
Some may or may not remember this famous number 86 for Dallas, but he’s among the most important and productive WR3/special teams players for the Dallas Cowboys. That player is of course, Michael “Butch” Johnson.
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Set Number: X27944 TK1 R7 F5
Playing college at UC Riverside, Johnson was drafted in 1976 in the third round by Dallas. In 1978, he achieved a remarkable feat by equaling an NFL record for the highest number of punt returns (nine) in a game. Additionally, he established a new franchise record by accumulating 489 yards from 45 punt returns. In 1977, Johnson also held a club record for single-season punt returns (50), and kickoff returns (22).
What made Johnson an important figure for Dallas was during Super Bowl XII, where he achieved his most remarkable career moment by making a spectacular diving touchdown reception thrown from Roger Staubach. The incredible play covered a distance of 45 yards and the play is widely regarded as a “Super Bowl Classic” and is regularly featured on top-moments during Super Bowl countdowns.
In 1978, Johnson broke his own single-season record for punt returns (51). In Super Bowl XIII, he had a standout performance despite the Cowboys’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. His receiving touchdown at the end of the game made him the second player in NFL history to score touchdowns in consecutive Super Bowls. He also created the famous “California Shake” celebration and was the instigating reason the NFL banned rehearsed celebrations in the end zone (something that only recently got revised).
Johnson would get traded to the Houston Oilers in 1984. His 146 punt returns and 1,313 punt return yards is still second-most in franchise history today. And in 1985, with the fifth-round pick the Cowboys got from trading Johnson to Houston, the Cowboys selected Herschel Walker who would be part of the 1989 trade.
Cowboys Training Camp, Oxnard, 25th July (42 days to go).