Norman Douglas "Norm" Johnson (born May 31, 1960 in Inglewood, California) is a former professional American football placekicker who played for 18 seasons in the National Football League. During that time, he played for the Seattle Seahawks (1982–1990), Atlanta Falcons (1991–1994), Pittsburgh Steelers (1995–1998), and the Philadelphia Eagles (1999). Johnson played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Johnson finished his 18 NFL seasons with 366 of 477 field goals (76%) and 638 of 644 extra points (99%), giving him a total of 1,736 points. As of 2010, he ranks tenth on the NFL's list of all time leading scorers, earning him the enduring nickname "Mr. Automatic" received during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson's best season was in 1995, when he led the NFL in field goals made (34) and attempted (41), while also successfully kicking all 39 of his extra point attempts. He then assisted the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX by kicking four field goals in their 40-21 divisional playoff win over the Buffalo Bills and two field goals in their 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC title game. He also kicked a 46-yard field goal in the Steelers' 27-17 Super Bowl loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Johnson's family includes wife Lori, and three sons, Jordan, Jarrett and Jameson.
Johnson graduated in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in economics from UCLA. After his NFL career, he made his real estate hobby into a profession. He now resides in western Washington state, where he works as a real estate agent.
On December 10, 2007, Johnson rescued a woman who had rolled over her car on icy roads in Kitsap County, Washington. As she struggled to crawl from the partially submerged car, Johnson freed her by breaking out a window with a rock.
Famous quotes containing the words norm and/or johnson:
“To be told that our child’s behavior is “normal” offers little solace when our feelings are badly hurt, or when we worry that his actions are harmful at the moment or may be injurious to his future. It does not help me as a parent nor lessen my worries when my child drives carelessly, even dangerously, if I am told that this is “normal” behavior for children of his age. I’d much prefer him to deviate from the norm and be a cautious driver!”
—Bruno Bettelheim (20th century)
“We talked of the education of children; and I asked him what he thought was best to teach them first. JOHNSON. “Sir, it is no matter what you teach them first, any more than what leg you shall put into your breeches first. Sir, you may stand disputing which is best to put in first, but in the mean time your breech is bare. Sir, while you are considering which of two things you should teach your child first, another boy has learnt them both.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)