2015_TWF_Journal-WEB

Johnnie Walton
2015 Adult Honoree
2015 HONOREE
Johnnie Walton grew up in Elizabeth City, N. C., where football and
farming were staples. Watching his brother Nathan, four years older,
excel on the field, Walton observed his moves. When Nathan earned a
scholarship to Shaw University, Johnnie considered that was a route to
pursue. After an impressive High School prep career, Walton committed to
Norfolk State; but when his sister Phyllis passed away, he opted to attend
Elizabeth City State University. Starting midway through his freshman
season, the Vikings finished 3-5. As Walton developed, he elevated the
Vikings, who improved to 5-3, 8-2 and 9-1 in the Central Intercollegiate
Association Conference.
In 1969, a starting quarterback in the National Football League was less common than a man on
the moon. While James Harris was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the eighth round in 1969, Walton
was signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Rams. Getting acclimated to the speed and hitting,
he received a welcome to the NFL. “Deacon Jones came in and put me in the ground real good”, said
Walton. (Hall of Fame Lineman) Bob Brown told me, “I got you Rook”! On the next play Brown punched
Jones in the Sternum knocking the wind out of him. And Jones quickly looked at Coach George Allen
and responded with, “We don’t have anything to prove”. “I am going to save it for Sunday.” Camp
went well but Coach Allen loved experience so Johnnie was farmed out to the Continental Football
League with the Indianapolis Capitals. Walton took over midway through the season and was named
offensive MVP of the league. In the championship game the Capitals won in a 44-38 overtime decision.
At that time he was the only black to quarterback a team to a professional football title. While gathering
experience, disaster occurred. Coach Allen left Los Angeles and coached the Washington Redskins and
now Johnnie had to adjust to a new coach as well as a new coach had to adjust to him. In 1972 Johnnie
was released by the Los Angeles Rams.
When Johnnie broke into the NFL with the LA Rams in 1969, assistant coach Dick Vermeil joined
George Allen’s LA staff. After landing the head coaching job in Philly in 1976, Vermeil brought Walton
along with him to the city of Brotherly love. It was during his four year stint in Philly that Johnnie
experienced the highlight of his pro career. On a Monday night in 1979, Ron Jaworski took a vicious
hit from Ed “Too Tall” Jones during a pivotal game against the hated Cowboys. While Jaws recovered
on the sideline, Walton quarterbacked the team to ten quick points culminated by a
29 yard scoring strike to Charlie Smith. Those ten points equaled the final margin of
victory in one of the biggest wins in team history. After retiring from the NFL, Walton’s
connections paid off again when Dick Coury, a former Eagles assistant, coaxed him
out of retirement to quarterback his new USFL team. Johnnie played two fine years;
one with the Boston Breakers and second with the New Orleans Breakers. His USFL
passing stats were: 589 attempts, 330 completions, for 3,772 yards and 20 touchdowns.
After retiring January 2013, Johnnie has been active in politics and very much
involved in local issues in his hometown. He devotes much of his time to his lovely wife
Earline and shares much needed time providing shared homecare for his ninety six year
old father. His many grandchildren from his five children and two step children occupy
the remainder of his time.
Trey Whitfield Foundation, Inc. 30 Twenty-Third Anniversary Banquet