On This Day

NFL Draft: Keyshawn Johnson from USC first pick by New York Jets

Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played college football for the USC Trojans, and...

Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons.

He played college football for the USC Trojans, and earned All-American honors twice. He was selected first overall by the New York Jets in the 1996 NFL draft. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers. He was one of three wide receivers to be taken first overall in NFL draft history and the most recent. During his tenure with the Buccaneers, Johnson was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.

He retired from football following the 2006 season, and spent seven years as a television broadcaster for the sports channel ESPN.

Historical Significance

Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons.

Events Before

  1. Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

    Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

  2. Centennial of the Canadian Mounties' presence in Canada's Yukon Territory

    Centennial of the Canadian Mounties' presence in Canada's Yukon Territory

  3. Camilla Parker Bowles (46) and her husband retired Army Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles(55) divorce, after 21 years of ma

    Camilla Parker Bowles (46) and her husband retired Army Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles(55) divorce, after 21 years of marriage

  4. "Back for Good" single released by British boy band Take That, reaches No. 1 in 31 countries

    Take That are an English pop group formed in Manchester in 1990. The group currently consists of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.

  5. American actress Julia Roberts (27) and American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (37) divorce after less than 2 years of m

    American actress Julia Roberts (27) and American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (37) divorce after less than 2 years of marriage

Events After

  1. The Republic of Zaire officially joins the World Trade Organization as Zaire

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, or less often Zaire, is a country in Central Africa.

  2. "Smothers Brothers" actor-singer Dick Smothers (58) weds third wife Denby Franklin (47) in Las Vegas, Nevada; divorce in

    "Smothers Brothers" actor-singer Dick Smothers (58) weds third wife Denby Franklin (47) in Las Vegas, Nevada; divorce in 2006

  3. "Wall Street" actor Charlie Sheen (31) divorces model Donna Peele after nearly 5 months of marriage

    "Wall Street" actor Charlie Sheen (31) divorces model Donna Peele after nearly 5 months of marriage

  4. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," created by Joss Whedon and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Ne

    "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," created by Joss Whedon and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Network

  5. American rapper Vanilla Ice (29) weds Laura Giarritta

    American rapper Vanilla Ice (29) weds Laura Giarritta

More from the 1990s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 20, 1996?
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played college football for the USC Trojans, and earned All-American honors twice. He was selected first overall by the New York Jets in the 1996 NFL draft.
Why is NFL Draft: Keyshawn Johnson from USC first pick by New York Jets significant?
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons.

Explore More