John “Curley” Johnson, the punter on the Jets’ Super Bowl III team, died Sunday at the age of 80.
Johnson was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 1957 NFL Draft, but played his first game with the Dallas Texans of the AFL. He signed with the then-Titans in 1961 and spent eight seasons with the team that would be renamed the Jets in 1963. He set the franchise record, since broken, with a 45.3 yard average on punts in 1965.
Johnson’s final game with the Jets was the 16-7 upset win over the Colts in Super Bowl III. Johnson’s four punts gave the Jets great field position in the game. He finished his career with the Giants, playing five games for them in 1969.
Johnson died at his home in Granbury, Texas, a day after his 61st wedding anniversary with his wife, Janet.