 "Photo: Courtesy Texas Sports")
 "Photo: Courtesy Texas Sports")
Until Johnnie Johnson, just about the only thing La Grange, Texas, was famous for was "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."
"I didn't know of anybody that had ever gone on to play football in college," Johnson said. "For that matter, I didn't know anybody who had played any sport in college."
All that changed with the speedy defensive back, who wreaked havoc for opposing offenses as a Longhorn from 1976 to 1979 and played in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams from 1980 to 1988.
Johnson, a two-time All-American while at Texas and an All-NFL defensive team selection as a part of the Rams, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December 2007 and is taking part in the festivities today and tomorrow in South Bend, Ind., as a part of the 2008 College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Class.
Among the big names of the class are Doug Flutie, Ahmad Rashad, John Randle and coach Joe Paterno.
"It's simply humbling to be honored with all these other great players," Johnson said. "I'm proud to be representing the University of Texas."
A co-captain of the 1979 team and winner of the nation's top defensive back award in 1978, Johnson had 13 career interceptions. He was also an electrifying punt returner, with 1,004 return yards.
Every time Johnson went back to return a punt, the Longhorn Band started playing the theme song from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson," and the crowd shouted "Here's Johnnie!"
"It was almost like something out of a movie," Johnson said.
He was originally recruited to Texas by legendary coach Darrell K Royal. He only got to play under Royal for one year, as Fred Akers took over in 1977. However, the team went undefeated in Akers' first year before losing to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl. By the time Johnson finished at Texas, he became a member of the Southwest Conference All-Decade Team.
"He was a great recruit in an era of outstanding recruits for Texas football," said sports information director and author Bill Little. "He had a real dedication to the game and was a team leader. He's one of the greatest defensive backs in Texas history."
The University of Texas' motto is "What starts here changes the world." That's been true for Johnson in his post-playing career.
Johnson is president and CEO of Growing Tree Learning Center, Inc., an international educational company. Its primary company is World Class Coaches.
"We get people to maximize their potential in their personal and professional life," Johnson said. "In sports, I had coaches that helped me through a lot of adverse circumstances. Today's times have a nervous economy and a volatile market. Executives and company employees need training to reach the fullest level in a tough environment."
He's a well-known author, inspirational speaker and peak-performance coach. He previously spent nine years in real estate, being honored during his career as one of the top five producing agents in the nation within the 25,000-plus agent chain of ERA Real Estate.
His success in real estate led to his0 starting the program Common Sense Steps to Selling Real Estate.
He's also the author of "Says Who?," a motivational book about reaching goals.
Johnson and his wife, Julie, have three children, sons Kirk and Collin and daughter Camille. He's currently collaborating with his kids to write a "Says Who?" for youth.
While he resides in the Silicon Valley of California these days, Johnson makes plenty of trips to Austin.
"I have a lot of clients in Texas and some family in the area," Johnson said. "Austin is still my favorite city in the world."
And he hasn't forgotten the school where his career got started.
"I bleed orange and try to do whatever I can to support the football program," Johnson said. "I want to thank all my coaches and teammates from my time, as well as the fans, because there's no fans better than Texas fans."
The road to the College Football Hall of Fame has been quite a journey for Johnson, considering he came from such humble beginnings.
"I grew up on the welfare system," he said. "Athletics was my way out. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity I had."
Looks like he did.
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