KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt this morning announced that former linebacker Derrick Johnson will be the 55th individual inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame. Johnson will be introduced tonight at the Season Ticket Member Draft Fest presented by Branson Lakes Area, and will be inducted at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium during the 2026 regular season.
"My family and I are honored to welcome Derrick Johnson as the newest member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame," Clark Hunt said. "Derrick is one of the all-time greats, and he was a cornerstone of our franchise for more than a decade. He represents everything we value in a Kansas City Chiefs player – consistency, toughness, leadership, and a deep commitment to his teammates and to our community. From the moment he arrived as a first-round draft pick, Derrick set the standard for how the game should be played and how a player should carry himself. A four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and multi-year team captain, Derrick's impact went far beyond the stat sheet. He helped to set the championship culture in our locker room, and brought that same energy into the community where he served as a role model for countless young people. That's why he was beloved by fans throughout Chiefs Kingdom. We look forward to celebrating Derrick and his remarkable career at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium this fall."
Highlights from the career of Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Derrick Johnson who will be inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame during the 2026 season.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) walks off the practice field in 2005.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham (l) speaks with 1st round draft choice Derrick Johnson (r) of the Kansas City Chiefs during the Chiefs rookie camp on May 01, 2005 at the Chiefs practice facility in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City Chiefs Minicamp - May 1, 2005 Chiefs practice facility Kansas City, MO USA May 1, 2005 Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/WireImage.com
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Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Kawika Mitchell (50) and Derrick Johnson (56) celebrate a big play during a 2005 home game.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) lines up before the ball is snapped during the Nov. 6, 2005 home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs won 27-23.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) helps on a tackle during the Jan. 1, 2006 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs won 37-3.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) poses for a milk advertisement in 2006.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) and cornerback Ty Law (24) help make a tackle during a Sept. 9, 2007 away game against the Houston Texans. The Chiefs lost 3-20.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) huddles with his teammates before a 2007 home game.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) assists on a tackle during the Nov. 4, 2007 home game against the Green Bay Packers. The Chiefs lost 22-33.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Ty Law (24) and linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) make a tackle during the Nov. 11, 2007 home game against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs lost 11-27.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) runs to make a tackle during the Oct. 5, 2008 away game against the Carolina Panthers. The Chiefs lost 0-34.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) sacks the quarterback during the Sept. 20, 2009 home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs lost 10-13.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) runs with the ball after an interception during the Jan. 3, 2009 away game against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs won 44-24.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) celebrates a fumble recovery during a 2011 away game.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) makes a tackle during the Oct. 7, 2012 home game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs lost 6-9.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) and strong safety Eric Berry (29) make a tackle during the Oct. 14, 2012 away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs lost 10-38.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) and cornerback Brandon Flowers (24) celebrate a big play during the Nov. 12, 2012 away game against the Pittsburg Steelers. The Chiefs lost 13-16.
The Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl players pose for a group portrait in 2012.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) mugs for the camera before the 2012 Pro Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Justin Houston (50) and Derrick Johnson (56) stand on the field before the 2012 Pro Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) celebrates a fumble recovery during the Oct. 20, 2013 home game against the Houston Texans. The Chiefs won 17-16.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) hits quarterback Andrew Luck (12) just after he throws the ball during the Dec. 22, 2013 home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Chiefs lost 7-23.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) interacts with a young fan during a 2014 community relations event.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) poses for a portrait in the 50 yard line tunnel during 2014 production day.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) holds a finger in the air.
The Kansas City Chiefs won 34-19 over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, August 15, 2015
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) leaps into the air to intercept a ball thrown by Steelers quarterback.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburg Steelers 23-13 on Sunday, October 25, 2015.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) holds up one finger signaling to his teammate.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburg Steelers 23-13 on Sunday, October 25, 2015.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) walking on the field during warm ups.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 29-13 at Mile High Stadium on Sunday, November 15, 2015.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) blocks a pass to the Bills ball receiver.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills 30-22 on Sunday, November 29, 2015
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) is surprised on the sidelines.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills 30-22 on Sunday, November 29, 2015
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) flexes his arms for the camera.
The Kansas City Chiefs won against the San Diego Chargers 10-3 on Sunday, December 13, 2015
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) provides support while defensive back Marcus Peters (22) runs the ball upfield.
The Kansas City Chiefs won against the Cleveland Browns 17-13 on Sunday, December 27, 2015
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) studies the playbook on the sidelines
The Kansas City Chiefs won against the Houston Texans 30-0 on Saturday, January 10, 2016 in the AFC Wildcard Playoff game.
Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Tamba Hali (91) and Derrick Johnson (56) tackle their opponent.
The Kansas City Chiefs lost against the New England Patriots 20-27 on Saturday, January 17, 2016 in the AFC Divisional Playoff game.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) flexes his muscles for the camera prior to the NFL Pro Bowl football game between Team Rice and Team Irvin on, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) stands on the sideline during the National Anthem prior to the preseason game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) runs with the ball after making an interception during the game against the New York Jets, Sunday, September 25, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) runs with the ball after making an interception during the game against the New York Jets, Sunday, September 25, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) on the field during the game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, October 16, 2016, in Oakland, California.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) wears a special military sweatshirt prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, November 6, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Derrick Johnson (56) and Dee Ford (55) talk on the field during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, November 6, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri.
A detailed shot of Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) special cleats prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, December 4, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson handed out backpacks with school supplies to local school children at Arrowhead Stadium on August 9, 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) looks on before the play in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Kansas City, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Arlington, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.
Derrick Johnson unveils his 14th and 15th DJ's Discovery Dens at Garcia Elementary and Mallinson Elementary
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) changes a play in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Kansas City, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017.
Player introductions and runouts
Derrick Johnson celebrates in the fourth quarter of an NFL Wildcard football game against the Tennessee Titans in Kansas City, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018
Derrick Johnson prior to the Sunday Night Football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2019.
Dipardo recognition of Derrick Johnson and Jamaal Charles during the AFC Championship football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, January 30, 2022.
Johnson spent 13 years of his 14-year career in Kansas City (2005-17), appearing in 182 games (169 starts), -- the most by any linebacker in franchise history – and helping the Chiefs reach the playoffs six times during his tenure. During his first season in Kansas City, Johnson started in all 16 games and compiled 95 tackles (79 solo), five passes defensed, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery, and he was named the Chiefs Mack Lee Hill Award recipient, given to the team's rookie of the year as voted on by players and coaches. The two-time AP All-Pro (2011 and 2015) and four-time Pro Bowl (2011-13, 2015) honoree recorded 1,163 tackles (940 solo), 77 passes defensed, 71 tackles-for-loss, 40 quarterback hurries, 27.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles, and eight fumble recoveries throughout his career, including one season in Oakland (2018). Johnson's 1,146 total tackles as a member of the Chiefs are the most in franchise history and he's the only player in franchise history with more than 1,000 tackles in a Chiefs uniform. He was named to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
"I am so grateful and honored to be inducted into the Chiefs Ring of Honor," Johnson said. "I played 13 years in Arrowhead and always dreamed of one day having my name at the top of the stadium alongside of other legends. I want to thank Clark Hunt and the entire Chiefs organization for making my dreams come true. To the fans, your passion made every moment unforgettable and now my name will echo in the stadium and through the hearts of Chiefs Kingdom forever. Thank you, Lord."
Johnson was drafted out of the University of Texas as the 15th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft following a storied collegiate career for the Longhorns. In 2004, he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation's top defensive player, and the Dick Butkus Trophy, awarded to nation's top linebacker, and he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, during Johnson's four years in Austin, he was a two-time consensus first team All-American (2003-04), a three-time All-Big 12 first team nominee (2002-04), and a Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year. The Waco, Texas, native was named to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
In 2012, Johnson founded the which provides low-income and inner-city youth with the opportunity to receive resources to reach their full potential in school and life. Defend the Dream has aided in the transformation of multiple libraries and elementary schools across Austin, Texas, as well as Kansas City, donating more than 25,000 children's books and investing over $60,000 into each school library makeover creating Discovery Dens as avenues for children to learn how to read.
Seven Discovery Dens have been built in the last four years, supporting more than 2,800 children across the Austin-metro, with an eighth opening in May 2026. Additionally, Johnson and his wife, Brittni, co-wrote a children's book in August 2025 called "Super DJ Saves Field Day," a story aimed to teach children how to build confidence, manage emotions, and overcome obstacles.
