NEW YORK (AP) – Curley Johnson, who punted for the New York Jets in their Super Bowl victory in 1969, has died. He was 80.
The team announced that Johnson died at his home in Granbury, Texas, on Sunday, a day after celebrating his 61st wedding anniversary with his wife, Janet.
Johnson, who also played running back, tight end and returned kickoffs during his career, signed with the then-Titans as a free agent in 1961 and played for the Jets franchise through the 1968 season.
He set the franchise mark with a gross punting average of 45.3 yards, which lasted until Robert Malone broke it in 2012 at 45.8. Ryan Quigley topped Malone’s record two years later with a 45.9 average.
Johnson was selected by Pittsburgh out of the University of Houston in the seventh round of the 1957 NFL draft, and made his playing debut in 1960 with the Dallas Texans. His first pro points came on a 2-point conversion pass against the Titans in 1960.
An AFL All-Star in 1965 with the Jets, Johnson ended his career after playing in five games with the Giants during the 1969 season.
Johnson averaged 42.3 yards on punts in his career. He also rushed 64 times for 209 yards and a touchdown, and caught 32 passes for 370 yards and three TDs.