New Mexico State University | THE BIG RED ZONE

The first “great” quarterback of the St. Louis Football Cardinals, Dr. Charley Johnson, passed away at the age of 85 on September 3.

Johnson was the Cardinals’ 10th-round selection out of New Mexico State University in the 1960 NFL draft and took over the starting role from Sam Etcheverry during the 1962 season. He threw seven touchdown passes in season-ending victories over Dallas and Philadelphia and would compile a 30-15-3 record from 1963-1966.

The Big Spring, Texas native twice threw 6 touchdown passes in a game and had another one in which he tossed for 5 scores. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 1963 and led the NFL in passing yardage in 1964 when the Cardinals finished only a half-game behind the World Champion Cleveland Browns in the NFL East Division. During this period, he also found time to finish his Doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering while attending Washington University in St. Louis.

In 1966, Johnson led the Big Red to a 7-1-1 record before going down with a season-ending knee injury against the Giants at Yankee Stadium. The next summer, Johnson was drafted into the U.S. Army, handing over the starting quarterback duties to a young Jim Hart.

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(Updated on March 8, 2023, to include video of Dr. Charley Johnson’s career)

New Mexico State University recently announced that former Big Red quarterback Dr. Charley Johnson is this year’s recipient of the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service.

Johnson is one of eight NMSU alumni being honored at the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration on October 21st. They will also be recognized at the homecoming football game against San Jose State on October 22nd at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

Honorees are selected by the Alumni Association Awards Committee based on personal accomplishment, professional achievement, and charitable service.

“This year’s Distinguished Alumni stand for the best of the best, contributing greatly to their career fields, giving back to society and representing NMSU boldly and brilliantly along the way,” said Derek Dictson, President, NMSU Foundation.

Johnson quarterbacked the Aggies to two winning appearances in the Sun Bowl in 1959 and 1960 and was the first two-time C.M. Hendricks Most Valuable Player. After graduating in 1961, he was selected by the Cardinals in the 10th round of the NFL draft. The Big Spring, Texas native took over as starter in his second season and led the Big Red to a 30-15-3 record from 1963-1966. He led the NFL in completions (223), attempts (420), and yards (3,045) in 1964. He also led the NFL in fourth quarter comebacks in 1966 and 1968 and twice threw six touchdowns in a game during his nine year career with the Cardinals. He was traded to the Houston Oilers in 1970 and finished his career in Denver where he was inducted into their Ring of Honor in 1986. See Charley’s NFL statistics.

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