Members
Inductee
JOHNSON, JOHN H.
JOHNSON, JOHN H.
Born on
Philadelphia, PA
Inducted On
June 4, 2006
Location Inducted
Merrillville, IN
Region Number
1
Hobart
Player
Hobart, IN
1959
Played for Coach Russ Deal; member of 1957-1959 winning football teams with record of 24-2-1; member of first undefeated football team at Hobart in 1959 with record of 8-0-1; 1959 All-State Football Team as a lineman; 1959 HS All-American Team; chosen as one of 66 players to compete in North-South High School All-American Football Classic played in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; starting lineman for the winning North team; selected as one of 33 players to represent the All-American team to play in the Pennsylvania Big 33 All-State Classic in Hershey, PA.
Indiana University
1963
Played 3 years for Coach Phil Dickens as a lineman; Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 1962; selected to play in 1962 post season Blue-Gray Football Christmas Classic in Montgomery, AL; starting lineman for the winning North team; selected to play in 1962 post season Crusade Bowl for Cancer in Baltimore, MD.
In 2004, selected by Gary Post Tribune for All-Northwest Indiana Football Team - Post 1960; also named in Top Ten Players to "Simply the Best" Half-Century All-Star Football Team; chairman, owner, and managing director of The John Joseph Group, Ltd.; serves on boards of several national charitable organizations that have raised several million dollars, such as Brian Piccolo Cancer Research, NFL Alumni Chicago Chapter, "Caring for Kids," Maryville home for children, Miseracordia, and Better Boys Foundation.
Wife; children, Robin, John, Jeff, and David.
Professional Athletic Background: Played for Chicago Bears Football Club for Coach George Halas; was fifth draft choice in 1963 as offensive lineman; moved to defensive tackle at start of season by Coach George Allen; member of 1963 World Champions that beat the New York Giants 14-10 to have a season record of 11-1-1; new coach, Mike Ditka, hired by Bears in 1982, stated that the 1963 team was the best George Halas ever coached; first start as a rookie won him the game ball; replaced injured Fred Williams in Championship game and was credited with 5 unassisted tackles, 4 assisted; was awarded a second game ball in 1967.
