High school career

Johnston was named Western New York Player of the Year in 1983, while playing for Lewiston-Porter (locally known as Lew-Port) High School in Youngstown, New York. The Lancers won the division during his senior year in 1984.

His Lew-Port jersey (number 34) was retired on September 1, 2006. In 2008 he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.

College career

Johnston attended Syracuse University. As a redshirted freshman, he started playing on special teams and would earn the starting fullback position by his sophomore season in 1986.

While playing for Syracuse, Johnston was an All-Big East selection in 1987 and an All-American in 1988. He rushed for 1,830 yards and caught 46 passes during his collegiate career. He once gained 138 yards rushing, the most by a Syracuse running back since Larry Csonka rushed for 154 yards in 1967.

He graduated with a degree in economics.

Professional career

Johnston was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1989 NFL Draft. As a rookie he received his nickname "Moose" from backup quarterback Babe Laufenberg because of his large stature compared to the rest of the running backs. The name caught on among Dallas fans who would chant "Moooooose" whenever he made a play.

As a Cowboy, Johnston played in 149 consecutive games from 1989-1997. He also became one of the greatest special teams players in franchise history.

He scored 22 career touchdowns and had more receptions than carries. His 294 receptions is the third highest number among Cowboys running backs, totaling 2,227 yards for a 7.6 yards average, compared to 232 carries for 753 yards for a 3.2 yards average. In 1993 Johnston had 50 receptions and averaged 7.4 yards per catch.

Due mainly to Johnston's contributions, the NFL created the fullback position in the Pro Bowl. Prior to this change, blocking fullbacks had little chance of beating out traditional running backs, who had better statistics. In 1993 Johnston became the first fullback ever selected for the Pro Bowl, earning trips in 1993 and in 1994.

Johnston retired at the end of the 1999 season, after suffering a neck injury. He was a member of three Super Bowl winning teams.

NFL stats

Rushing Stats

Year	Team	Games	Carries	Yards	Yards per Carry	Longest Carry	Touchdowns	First Downs	Fumbles	Fumbles Lost
1989	DAL	16	67	212	3.2	13	0	0	0	0
1990	DAL	16	10	35	3.5	8	1	0	0	0
1991	DAL	16	17	54	3.2	10	0	6	0	0
1992	DAL	16	17	61	3.6	14	0	5	0	0
1993	DAL	16	24	74	3.1	11	3	14	1	0
1994	DAL	16	40	138	3.5	9	2	11	1	1
1995	DAL	16	25	111	4.4	18	2	12	1	0
1996	DAL	16	22	48	2.2	7	0	5	0	0
1997	DAL	6	2	3	1.5	3	0	1	1	0
1998	DAL	16	8	17	2.1	6	0	0	0	0
Career		151	232	753	3.2	18	8	54	4	1

Receiving Stats

Year	Team	Games	Receptions	Yards	Yards per Reception	Longest Reception	Touchdowns	First Downs	Fumbles	Fumbles Lost
1989	DAL	16	16	133	8.3	28	3	0	0	0
1990	DAL	16	14	148	10.6	26	1	0	0	0
1991	DAL	16	28	244	8.7	22	1	15	0	0
1992	DAL	16	32	249	7.8	18	2	14	0	0
1993	DAL	16	50	372	7.4	20	1	17	0	0
1994	DAL	16	44	325	7.4	24	2	14	1	1
1995	DAL	16	30	248	8.3	24	1	11	0	0
1996	DAL	16	43	278	6.5	23	1	9	1	1
1997	DAL	6	18	166	9.2	21	1	8	0	0
1998	DAL	16	18	60	3.3	9	1	2	0	0
1999	DAL	1	1	4	4.0	4	0	0	0	0
Career		151	294	2,227	7.6	28	14	90	2	2

Legacy

Johnston was considered one of the best fullbacks of his day, while blocking for Emmitt Smith, as Smith went on to become the all-time NFL rushing leader. However, Johnston was not the lead blocker for Smith's entire career. A neck injury prematurely ended Johnston's career. Johnston was present the day Smith broke the rushing record; he was in the broadcasting booth, but came down onto the field to hug Smith and congratulate him afterward. As Smith made his victory lap of Texas Stadium after the record setting carry, Johnston hung back in the shadows. When Smith saw Johnston, the two joined together in an emotional embrace, with Smith telling Johnston, "I couldn't have done it without you". Johnston replied "It was my pleasure. I couldn't imagine doing it for anybody else."

In 2010, Johnston was in the audience for Emmitt Smith's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During his acceptance speech, a visibly emotional Smith spoke directly to Johnston, calling out the fact that, as a fullback, he had sacrificed himself for so many years to block for Smith. "Without you", Smith said, "I know that today would not have been possible."

Broadcasting career

In 2003, Johnston joined the program Players Inc Radio when it moved to Fox Sports Radio. The program was sponsored by NFL Players Inc. Today, Johnston works as a color commentator alongside Kenny Albert (then Dick Stockton) on the third broadcast (then second broadcast) team of The NFL on Fox. He also works with Tony "Goose" Siragusa. He was an analyst for the NFL Network's "Total Access" until 2012. Johnston also began calling the collegiate Cotton Bowl Classic game for Fox in 2009, first with Pat Summerall, and then eventually Kenny Albert. He also was a guest star of the PBS television series Wishbone in its episode "Moonbone".

Personal life

A native of Youngstown, New York, Johnston now resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife Diane, son Aidan, and daughter Evan.

Johnston has been a major contributor to many charities including the Special Olympics, Children's Cancer Fund, Cystic Fibrosis and Literacy Instruction For Texas (LIFT). He has also served as honorary chairman for MDA's "Aisles of Smiles" campaign, and for the American Cancer Society's Gunslingers' Ball. In 1999, Johnston's numerous community service activities led to his nomination for the prestigious "Whizzer White Humanitarian Award."

[ Source: Wikipedia ]