Charley Johnson, a renowned figure in the annals of New Mexico State University (NM State) football, and an inductee of the Aggies’ Ring of Honor, died on Tuesday, September 3, aged 85.
Johnson, a native of Big Spring, Texas, played a pivotal role in NM State’s golden era of football. He led the Aggies to 19 wins between 1959 and 1960, including back-to-back victories in the Sun Bowl – a record that still stands. Johnson is the sole player in the history of the Sun Bowl to have been named Most Valuable Player two seasons consecutively.
In his debut season with the Aggies, Johnson threw 18 touchdown passes, outperforming all other national quarterbacks by a minimum of five touchdowns. He completed 214 passes for 2,960 yards with 31 touchdowns over his collegiate career, boasting a 53.8% completion rate. His remarkable achievements led to his inclusion in the US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1970. NM State retired his jersey number—33—one of only two to receive this honor.
Following his college career, Johnson was chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 109th pick in the 1960 NFL Draft and the San Diego Chargers with the 64th pick in the 1961 AFL Draft. He opted for the Cardinals, serving as their main starter from 1962 to 1966. In 1963, he was selected for the NFL Pro Bowl after achieving 3,280 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Johnson’s professional career spanned 15 years, during which he played for the Cardinals (1961–1969), the Houston Oilers (1970–1971), and the Denver Broncos (1972–1975). As a Bronco, he steered the team to its inaugural winning season in 1973 and was later inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1986. He retired with stats of 1,737 completions, 24,410 passing yards, and 170 touchdowns across 165 games.
Apart from football, Johnson was committed to academics and service. He received bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in chemical engineering. While still playing professionally, he served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve and worked for NASA during active duty from 1967 to 1969.
Johnson returned to NM State post-retirement, serving as the head of the chemical engineering department from 2000 to 2004. In the spring of 2010, he temporarily assumed the role of interim head coach for the Aggie football team. Known for his dedication and altruism, he was a staunch supporter of Aggie Athletics and made substantial contributions to numerous university programs, including the creation of the Warren B. Woodson Endowed Fund for Athletics.
Johnson’s legacy was further cemented with his induction into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. His life and career embody the spirit of excellence in sports, academics, and community service.
Johnson and his late wife, Barbara, whom he met at NMSU, shared 62 years of marriage and were gifted with two children and several grandchildren.