Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson is a retired professional football player originally from Georgia. He spent 17 seasons in the National Football League as a Quarterback. Best known for his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he provided steady, veteran leadership that helped guide the franchise to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

James Bradley Johnson was born on September 13, 1968, in Marietta, Georgia, USA. The Quarterback stands 196 cm tall, and his weight was last listed at 107 kg.

He attended Charles D. Owen High School in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Following graduation, Johnson committed to play for Florida State University from 1988 to 1991, where he played under legendary coach Bobby Bowden and developed into a future NFL prospect.

Professional Career

He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings during the 1992 NFL Draft. They picked him in round 9 and he was the 227th overall selection.

During his professional career, Johnson took time to develop, even spending the 1995 season playing for the London Monarchs in NFL Europe. He eventually earned the starting job in Minnesota and famously became the first player in NFL history to complete a touchdown pass to himself during a 1997 game against the Carolina Panthers.

After a successful stint with the Washington Redskins that included a trip to the Pro Bowl in 1999, Johnson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2002, he delivered a brilliant season, earning his second Pro Bowl nod and leading the Buccaneers' offense to complement their historic defense, culminating in a Super Bowl XXXVII title.

He spent his final NFL seasons providing veteran depth for the Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys before officially retiring following the 2008 season.

Personal Life

His brother-in-law is former University of Georgia and Miami head coach Mark Richt. Both of Johnson's sons followed in his footsteps to play college football. Max Johnson played quarterback for several programs, including LSU, Texas A&M, and North Carolina before transferring to Georgia Southern for 2026, while his younger son, Jake Johnson, played tight end alongside his brother before transferring to Auburn in 2026.

Outside of football, Johnson's father, Rick, helped establish the well-known WinShape Camps. Johnson himself also stays active in retirement by occasionally participating in competitive Pop-A-Shot basketball.

Career Highlights:

• 2003 – Super Bowl champion (XXXVII)
• 1999, 2002 – 2× Pro Bowl
• 1997 – NFL Record: First player to throw a touchdown pass to himself