Daryl Johnston

Daryl Johnston

Johnston in September 2006
Position(s) Fullback Jersey #(s) 48
Born	February 10, 1966 (1966-02-10) (age 43) Youngstown, New York
Career information
Year(s)	1989–1999
NFL Draft	1989 / Round: 2 / Pick: 39
College	Syracuse
Professional teams
Dallas Cowboys (1989-1999)
Career stats
Rushing Yards	753
Average	3.2
Touchdowns	22
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards
2× Pro Bowl selection (1993, 1994) 3× Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)

Daryl Peter "Moose" Johnston (born February 10, 1966 in Youngstown, New York) is a former American football fullback in the National Football League who played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys (from 1989 to 1999).

High school career

Johnston was named Western New York Player of the Year in 1983 while playing for Lewiston-Porter (locally known as Lew-Port) High School in Youngstown, New York. The Lancers won the division during Daryl's Senior year 1984. His Lew-Port jersey number, 34, was retired on September 1, 2006.

College career

Johnston attended Syracuse University. While playing for Syracuse, Johnston was an All-Big East selection in 1988 and an All-American in 1989. He graduated with a degree in economics.

Professional career

Johnston was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of 1989 NFL Draft. There he received his nickname "Moose" from backup quarterback Babe Laufenberg.^[1]

In the NFL, he scored 22 career touchdowns but had more receptions in his career than carries. In 1993 Johnston had 50 receptions and averaged 7.4 yards per catch. Johnston earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 1993 and 1994. Johnston was a member of three Super Bowl winning teams.

Due mainly to Johnston, the NFL created the fullback position in the Pro Bowl. Prior to this change blocking fullbacks had little chance of beating out a regular running back who had many more carries. In 1993 Johnston became the first fullback ever selected for the Pro Bowl.^[1]

Legacy

Johnston was considered one of the best fullbacks of his day, while blocking for Emmitt Smith, as Smith went on to become the all-time NFL rushing leader. However, Johnston was not the lead blocker for Smith's entire career. An unfortunate neck injury prematurely ended Johnston's career. Johnston was present the day Smith broke the rushing record; he was in the broadcasting booth, but came down onto the field to hug Smith and congratulate him afterward. As Smith made his victory lap of Texas Stadium after the record setting carry, Johnston hung back in the shadows. When Smith saw Johnston, the two joined together in an emotional embrace, with Smith telling Johnston, "I couldn't have done it without you". Johnston replied "It was my pleasure. I couldn't imagine doing it for anybody else."^{[citation needed]}

Every time Johnston touched the ball, "Moooooooose" chants roared through the crowd, regardless of where the Cowboys were playing.^[2]

Broadcasting career

Today, Johnston works as a color commentator alongside Kenny Albert on the second broadcast team of The NFL on Fox.

Personal life

A native of Youngstown, New York, Johnston now resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife Diane, son Aidan, and daughter Evan.

Johnston has been a major contributor to many charities including the Special Olympics, Children's Cancer Fund, Cystic Fibrosis and Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT). He has also served as honorary chairman for MDA's "Aisles of Smiles" campaign, and for the American Cancer Society's Gunslingers' Ball. In 1999, Johnston's numerous community service activities led to his nomination for the prestigious "Whizzer White Humanitarian Award."^[3]

External links

• Statistics at Pro football Reference
• Statistics at Database Football

References and notes