Pike Johnson
| Date of birth | September 30, 1896 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Javia, Sweden |
| Date of death | November 8, 1985 (aged 89) |
| Place of death | Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Tackle, Guard |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| US college | Washington & Lee |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1917, 1919 | Massillon Tigers |
| 1920 | Akron Pros |
| Career stats | |
| |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  U.S. Army |
| Years of service | 1918-1919 |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Purple Heart |
Karl Hilmer "Pike" Johnson (September 30, 1896 – November 8, 1985) was a professional football player in the American Professional Football Association (later renamed the National Football League in 1922) for the Akron Pros. In 1920 he and the Pros were awarded the very first NFL Championship. Prior to his career in the APFA, Johnson played with the Massillon Tigers of the Ohio League. He received all-pro honors in 1917. He was also World War I Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient.[1][2]
In 2010 Johnson's grandson donated the miniature football shaped medallion (called a fob), to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The fob was given to his grandfather after winning the 1920 championship. During the visit, it was discovered that Pike Johnson was incorrectly identified as Frank Leonard Johnson who appears that the league's all-time roster, which also appears on NFL.com. However, it was the wrong "Pike" Johnson, one who never played with the Akron Pros. Also the jeweler who inscribed his name on the fob made a mistake when the first initial of "C" rather than "K" was etched onto the back of the gold piece.[2]
References
- ^ PFRA Research. "Canton Wins Again 1917" (PDF). Coffin Corner. Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–5.
- ^ a b "Medallion from NFL's first champions". Pro Football Hall of Fame. September 29, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2011.