Gary “Big Hands” Johnson, a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame, passed away Wednesday in Shreveport, La., five days after he suffered a stroke.
He was 57.
San Diego drafted Johnson at No. 8 overall in 1975. He wasted little time emerging in the NFL, earning All-Rookie honors his first season. But fans had to wait five years for his masterpiece season. Johnson made 17.5 sacks that year, still a franchise record. He combined with a pair of players selected in the same draft, Fred Dean and Louie Kelcher, to help the Chargers lead the NFL with 60 sacks in 1980 and earned the nickname the Bruise Brothers.
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Johnson helped Head Coach Don Coryell and San Diego reach the playoffs four straight seasons from 1979 to 1982. He won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers after a trade in 1984. NFL.com lists his final playing size as 6-foot-2, 257 pounds.
One of 34 members of the team’s Hall of Fame, inducted in 1999, Johnson also was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Breitbard Hall of Fame in 2007.
He became Big Hands in eighth grade when he went to pick up a basketball during P.E. class and his instructor told him to get his big hands off the ball.
What they said about Big Hands:
Wes Chandler
Wide Receiver, 1981 - 1987
“We’ve lost a tremendous person. Hands was a great friend of mine. Not only was he a good person but a great teammate. I was proud to call him my friend. His personal demeanor with people is something I will always remember.”
Ed White
Offensive Lineman, 1978 - 1985
“He was a great football player. Big Hands was big and aggressive. He played hard and practiced hard, and I really respected that.
“When I think about Gary Johnson, I think about his kindness. When I remember him, I see his face. Johnson always had a smile from ear to ear. He was kind-spirited and warm-hearted, absolutely egoless. He will go down in my memory as that type of person. He was a great teammate.”
Hank Bauer
Running Back, 1977 - 1982
“Johnson was always smiling. He really enjoyed football, and loved every part of it. He was a great teammate, a perfect father and a perfect husband, an amazing family man. And yet, when the ball was snapped he turned into an absolute monster.
“For a guy that was as much of a star as he was, he was amazingly humble, a very simple person.
“Louie Kelcher was the ring leader of the defense line, and Gary was like Louie’s little brother who he would beat up and harass, but all in a very good natured way. Gary was the guy we played jokes on. During training camp, I once put a snake in his helmet. You should have seen him jump. It’s one of my favorite moments. I haven’t owned up to it until now.”
Dan Fouts
Quarterback, 1973 - 1987
“He was a special guy. I don’t really remember him as the player, I remember him as being a smart guy who was dedicated to his family and his job. Everybody that I came into contact with who knew Gary loved him, and that’s pretty universal.
“It’s a terrible to shame. He was a friend and a great teammate.”
