Hall of Fame
Ron Johnson is one of five Red Raiders to ever play in an NFL regular season game. A three-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) defensive lineman, Johnson was four-year starter for Rocky Rees’ football teams from 1999-2002 that combined to post a 27-17 record.
In four seasons with Shippensburg, Johnson finished with 158 total tackles, including 35 for loss, and 18.0 sacks, while earning All-PSAC Western Division First Team honors as a senior in 2002. He was also named All-PSAC Western Division Second Team in 1999 and 2001. At the time of his graduation, Johnson ranked sixth in school history for career sacks, and to this day, remains eighth in the category.
Among his signature campaigns was his junior year, in which he led Shippensburg and ranked second in the PSAC with eight sacks in 2001. His 13 tackles for loss were second on the team and eighth in the PSAC.
He made an immediate impact as a freshman, totaling 40 tackles and an impressive 10 for loss. Among that total included 4.5 sacks. In his first collegiate game, Johnson had five tackles for loss – including two sacks – against Shepherd. Johnson’s freshman season also included his only collegiate interception along with career highs for pass defenses (8) and forced fumbles (3).
As a senior, Johnson recorded a career-high 44 tackles – averaging four per game – while totaling 2.5 sacks and recovering four fumbles. During his sophomore season, Johnson totaled 42 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Johnson was signed as a rookie free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles and was promoted to Philadelphia’s active roster after the first four weeks of the 2003 season. Out of 22 rookie free agents signed by the Eagles that season, he was one of just four to make the active roster. Johnson played in three games for the Eagles after being elevated from the team’s practice squad before suffering what proved to be a career-ending back injury in the final game of the 2004 preseason.
Johnson earned his degree from Shippensburg in speech communication and has been dedicated to helping at-risk juveniles since his graduation. Upon retirement, Johnson began by working with youth in the juvenile justice system. In 2008, Johnson founded Ron’s Rising Stars LLC, serving as the owner and director of an organization which provides football camps and mentoring services. Johnson teaches young athletes to be better football players and to inspire them to follow their dreams and focus on education. His primary football camp is held every summer in Shippensburg.
Currently, Johnson is a behavioral manager and counselor at River Rock Academy Day Treatment in Spring Grove. He is also the Director of Client Relations at Stages Planning Group in York, where he works with professional athletes and offers teaching and advisement for retirement planning, lifestyle and money management, and post-career counseling.
In May 2015, Johnson married his wife Doralisa. Johnson is the father of his son Tyler (15) and two step-daughters, Vienna (16) and Iolana (12). Johnson remains extremely active as a motivational speaker, a volunteer, and as a mentor, assisting Big Brothers and Big Sisters in York County. He has also remained very active in football, working as a defensive line coach at Red Lion High School.
