The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced that Ron Johnson has taken on the role of chairman, becoming the organization’s 5th chairman in 59 years and succeeding Jon F. Hanson, chairman emeritus.

“The National Football Foundation fills a critical role in promoting a game that has done so much for so many,” said Chairman Johnson, 58. “It’s a distinct honor to lead an organization with such a rich history of mobilizing the constructive forces of amateur football to benefit our country.”

After becoming Michigan’s top student-athlete (1966-68) and earning All-America honors his senior year as a halfback, Johnson played for seven years (1969-75) in the NFL as a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns and an MVP running back for the NY Giants. While still a player, he embarked on a career as a real estate executive and entrepreneur. In 1983, Johnson founded the Rackson Corporation, which currently operates 24 KFC franchises in New Jersey, Tennessee, and Michigan.

“Having served on the board of The National Football Foundation since 1992, Ron’s knowledge of the organization is only eclipsed by his passion for helping young football players develop into tomorrow’s leaders,” said Hanson. “He’s an astute businessman and a true leader who will add significantly to the Foundation’s legacy of promoting the good in the game.”

Founded in 1947 under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and renowned journalist Grantland Rice, the NFF serves as a leading voice in the promotion of amateur football and its ability to develop the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the drive for academic achievement in America’s young people.

“No person serves as a better example of what our organization represents, and there is nobody better qualified to be our chairman,” said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. “Ron’s on-field accomplishments, coupled with his success in business and the community, send a powerful message about the direction of our organization.”

During his NFL playing days in which he secured to two trips to the Pro Bowl, Johnson worked for the Hanson Development Company as a financial analyst. He then worked for Dean Witter Reynolds as an institutional salesman (1975-78) and Burlington Industries as a sales manager (1978-82) before founding Rackson. He holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan (1969) and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, N.J. (1980).

Johnson takes an active role in the community, and his past board service includes the Hackensack Medical Center, Big Brothers, the Boy Scouts, University of Michigan Athletics and Business Schools, and Harlem Junior Tennis. He is a founding member of Minority Athletes Networking (MAN), an urban mentoring group, and he currently serves as a board member of the Calvary Episcopal Church. He also participates as a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and of the NAACP. A Detroit native, Johnson lives in Summit, N.J. with his wife Karen. They have two grown children.

In addition to Hanson, past chairmen include Chester J. LaRoche, Vincent DePaul Draddy and William Pearce. Johnson becomes the first African-American and the first member of the College Football Hall of Fame (a 1992 inductee) to serve as chairman.

Ron Johnson Gridiron Highlights