Former Cleveland Browns running back Ron Johnson passed away on Nov. 10 at age 71. That seems much too soon. The New York Times reports that he had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and was living in an Assisted Living facility in New Jersey.
Johnson is best remembered for being the first player in Giants history to gain 1,000 yards rushing in a single season, but he began his career with the Browns in 1969 after being drafted in the first round. He was later involved in one of the most spectacularly bungled trades in Cleveland history, thanks to the efforts of Art Modell, who acted as his own GM in those days.