Meet The Saints Legend Joe Johnson

After being drafted in the first round (13th overall) out of Louisville, Joe Johnson started 104-of-106 games and was a significant contributor for the Saints defensive front. Johnson totaled 384 tackles, 50.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. In his fifth season, Johnson was selected to his first Pro Bowl after racking up a career-best 70 stops (54 solo) and seven sacks. He would go on to miss the entire next season in 1999 after suffering a severe knee injury that left his career in doubt. Despite the adversity, Johnson came back stronger than ever in 2000, recording a career-high 12 sacks on his way to his first All Pro selection (first team), second Pro Bowl, and being honored as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. Johnson was a key part of the 2000 team that won the NFC South division crown and defeated the defending Super Bowl Champion St. Louis Rams for the first playoff victory in franchise history. His most memorable performance came in contest against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 12, 2000, where he recorded six tackles and a career-high three sacks as the Saints won their sixth straight game.