PRINTER'S NO. 1970
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
362
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY KILLION, ARGALL, BARTOLOTTA, BLAKE, BROWNE,
DINNIMAN, MARTIN, PHILLIPS-HILL, STEFANO AND TARTAGLIONE,
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Honoring Billy "White Shoes" Johnson.
WHEREAS, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson is a Marcus Hook native
and a graduate of Chichester High School in Boothywn; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson began an All-American football career at
Division III Widener University and was a 15th-round draft pick
in 1974, No. 365 overall; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson, named the Daily Times Football Player
of the Millennium, went on to play 14 seasons in the National
Football League with the Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons and
Washington Redskins; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson earned Pro Bowl honors three times and
was the Pro Bowl's Most Valuable Player in 1975; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson is credited as being one of the first
players in NFL history to do an end-zone celebration, his
version of his "Funky Chicken" dance, long before it was cool or
customary; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson ranks third all-time in average yards
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per return (11.8) and tied for ninth with six career punt
returns for touchdowns; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson amassed 10,785 all-purpose yards and
averaged 13.5 yards per touch in his career; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson caught 337 passes for 4,211 yards, had
123 kickoffs for 2,941 yards and ran the ball 56 times for 316
yards; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson scored 8 touchdowns as a return
specialist and 25 touchdowns as a wide receiver; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was a three time first-team All-Pro
selection and won the Comeback Player of the Year award from the
Associated Press in 1983; and
WHEREAS, At the time of his retirement in 1988 and after 14
years in the NFL and one year in the Canadian Football League,
Johnson ranked first in NFL history in career punt return
yardage (3,317) and currently ranks seventh; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was named to the NFL's all-decade team
for the 1970s (second team) and 1980s (first team) and was the
punt returner on the league's 75th anniversary team in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was inducted into the College Football
Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in
2018; and
WHEREAS, In a pre-game ceremony before Super Bowl LIV, Mr.
Johnson was honored as one of the top all-time 100 players for
the NFL's 100th anniversary celebration in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Johnson, widely viewed as a return specialist, is
the only member of the 75th NFL anniversary team and the only
eligible member of the 100th NFL anniversary team not inducted
into the Hall of Fame; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate honor Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
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for his athletic achievements; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize Billy "White Shoes"
Johnson as one of National Football League's All-Time 100 Team;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the National Football League
to induct Mr. Johnson into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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