Johnny Majors comes from a strong football-based family. His father was his high school coach, Bill (one of four brothers) played at Tennessee (1958-60) and helped beat #1 LSU, Bobby played at Tennessee from 1968-1971 and also played for the Cleveland Browns, Larry was a successful high school coach, and Joe played at Florida State and Alabama in addition to the Houston Oilers.
Like fellow ISU great Troy Davis, Coach Majors was once snubbed from winning the Heisman Trophy (in 1956). However, he made the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987 and got his number retired at Tennessee in 2012.