John Henry Johnson(born November 24, 1929, in Waterproof, Louisiana)was a professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Houston Oilers.

Coming from St. Mary's University and Arizona State, he was the Steelers 1953 second round draft pick. He first opted to play in Canada, but after one season at Calgary, he returned to the United States to start his NFL career with the 49ers. John finished second in the league in rushing with 681 yards and a 5.3-yard average in his rookie year. For the next two years, he was an integral part of the "Million Dollar Backfield” that included future Hall of Famers Hugh McElhenny and Y. A. Tittle .

Johnson was traded to Detroit in 1957 and then to Pittsburgh in 1960.

In both 1962 and 1964, he broke the 1,000-yard rushing barrier, the first Steeler to achieve that lofty level. It was with the Lions, however, that he participated in his only NFL title game, the 1957 contest that saw Detroit overwhelm the Cleveland Browns, 59-14. Johnson was a key figure in the Lions’ title drive that year and wound up as the club's leading rusher with 621 yards. Johnson was selected to play in the 1955, 1963, 1964, and 1965 Pro Bowl Games.

In 1966 he ended his career with the Oilers.