Ron Johnson, the All-Pro running back who became the first player in Giants history to gain at least 1,000 rushing yards in a season, achieving the milestone twice in the 1970s, died on Saturday at an assisted living facility in Madison, N.J. He was 71.
His wife, Karen, confirmed the death. Johnson was found to have Alzheimer’s disease in 2008.
The Giants had only two winning seasons between 1964 and 1980. Both came when Johnson achieved rushing milestones for the franchise.
“When I got to New York, the running backs were Tucker Frederickson and Ernie Koy,” he recalled in Ken Palmer’s “Game of My Life: Memorable Stories of Giants Football” (2007).