Grambling, LA --- Grambling State University mourns the death of two former gridiron greats this past week in James “Hound Dog” Hunter and Gary “Big Hands” Johnson.
Hunter, a former cornerback for the Tigers and Detroit Lions died August 2nd from an apparent heart attack in his home in Orchard Lake, the team released. He was 56.
Hunter was taken by Detroit with the 10th pick overall in the 1976 NFL draft. Nicknamed “Hound Dog” for his long-striding running ability, he had a career-high seven interceptions in his debut season and was NFL Rookie of the Year runner-up behind future Hall of Famer Mike Haynes. He shifted to left cornerback in 1977 playing alongside another future Pro Football Hall of Famer, Lem Barney.
Hunter led the Lions in interceptions in three of his seven seasons with the team and had 27 in his career, which ended because of a neck injury in 1982. He began working for Anheuser-Busch in 1985.
A native of Silsbee, Texas, Hunter also played running back at Grambling is considered the last two-way player for Coach Eddie Robinson.
Johnson, a Shreveport native died August 4th at LSU Health Sciences Center, two weeks after suffering a stroke. He was 57.
Johnson, who received his nickname in the 8th grade, when he wanted to pick up a basketball in his P.E. class and his coach said, "Get your big hands off my basketball”, was drafted in the 1st round with the 8th overall pick by the Chargers in 1975 and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team. In 1980 he led the NFL with 17-1/2 sacks, which is still a Chargers' team record. That year, Johnson teamed with fellow 1975 Chargers' draftees Fred Dean and Louie Kelcher as the Chargers led the NFL in sacks (60). Johnson and Dean were named 1st-team All-Pro, with Kelcher being named 2nd-team All-Pro. The trio, along with Leroy Jones formed a defensive frontline that was locally nicknamed the Bruise Brothers.
Johnson again was named 1st team All-Pro in 1981, and was 2nd team All-Pro in 1982. He was on Pro Bowl teams from 1980–1983. In 1997 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. And In 1999 was inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame.
-GSU-
The Associated Press and Shreveport Times contributed to this report.
