Jim Johnson, longtime NFL defensive coordinator and former Philadelphia Eagles coach, has died. He was 68.
Jim Johnson had been on a leave of absence from the team to undergo cancer treatments. He had been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor of the spine.
Jim Johnson joined in Eagles in 1999, hired by Andy Reid after Reid was given his first head coaching position. From 2000-08, Johnson's Philadelphia D ranked second in the NFL in sacks (390). During his time with the Eagles, the team made the playoffs seven times and he produced 26 Pro Bowl selections.
Andy Reid said:
"This whole Eagles - Andy Reid regime here that's taken place wouldn't have been possible without Jim.
"I'm not sure there's a person that I've met that isn't a Jim Johnson fan. He really represented everything this city is all about with his toughness and grit. That's the way he fought this cancer."
According to the Eagles, Jim Johnson is survived by his wife Vicky, two children and four grandchildren.
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