Despite recent concerns, Jimmy Johnson, a former football coach, is currently leading a healthy life with no reports of significant illness.
Johnson, born on July 16, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas, began his football journey as a defensive lineman at the University of Arkansas, where he was part of the 1964 national championship team.
He transitioned to coaching in 1965, starting as an assistant at various colleges before taking on his first head coaching role at Oklahoma State University in 1979.
During his five seasons there from 1979 to 1983, he successfully rebuilt the program and laid the foundation for his future success.
In 1984, Johnson became head coach at the University of Miami, where he transformed the Hurricanes into a dominant force, leading them to a national championship victory in 1987.
In 1989, he joined the Dallas Cowboys as head coach and general manager, leading the team to consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1992 and 1993.
Despite his success, he parted ways with the Cowboys in 1994 due to conflicts with owner Jerry Jones.
Johnson later took over as head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 1996 to 1999. While he built a strong defense, the team fell short of championship expectations, and he retired from coaching, citing burnout.
Since stepping away from coaching, Johnson has been a prominent sports analyst on Fox NFL Sunday.
He was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, cementing his legacy as one of football’s most influential coaches.
Troy Aikman’s Heartfelt Tribute to Jimmy Johnson Sparks Health Concerns
As of December 2024, there have been no public reports indicating that Jimmy Johnson is experiencing any significant health issues or illness.
At 81 years old, Johnson remains active in the football community as a current Fox NFL Sunday analyst.
On December 8, 2024, during a Monday Night Football broadcast, Troy Aikman, a former player under Johnson’s coaching and a fellow sportscaster, shared a heartfelt tribute to Jimmy Johnson.
This moment highlighted concerns about the legendary coach’s health.
In his post, Aikman labeled his tribute with the caption “#winner” and shared a clip from a documentary on his Instagram story, revisiting Johnson’s impactful tenure with the Cowboys.
This documentary showcased several players expressing their respect and admiration for Johnson, emphasizing his legacy as a coach who could truly inspire his team.
Michael Irvin, a former Dallas star receiver featured in the documentary, praised Johnson’s leadership, saying:
When it comes to moving men, there was no one better than coach Johnson
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Aikman also spoke candidly about his former coach and friend. He remarked,
There wasn’t a minute that I was around him the two years that I played for him, that I and everyone on the football team didn’t know who the head coach was
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The heartfelt words from Aikman about Johnson were shared following a broadcast during the Ravens’ Week 12 clash with the Chargers on November 25, 2024.
Even though the recent broadcast highlighted concerns about Johnson’s health, the lack of specific illnesses being discussed suggests that the initial fears may not be as severe.
In late October 2024, Jimmy Johnson’s occasional absences from Fox NFL Sunday broadcasts began to draw attention.
During Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season, viewers noted his unexpected absence, sparking curiosity, though no official explanation was provided.
While his schedule on Fox NFL Sunday was adjusted, with Rob Gronkowski stepping in occasionally, this rotation was reportedly planned and not attributed to any specific health issues.
Johnson has been open about his previous health challenges, particularly with heart disease.
In a 2011 interview, he discussed how the condition once posed a serious threat to his ability to enjoy life, including his favorite activities like spending time outdoors, discussing football, and even competing on the reality show “Survivor.”
Determined to overcome these challenges, he sought medical advice and underwent a stent placement procedure with the help of an interventional cardiologist, which successfully alleviated his symptoms.
Since then, he has embraced life fully, continuing his passions while advocating for others to prioritize their health.
As of now, Johnson remains active in his professional endeavors, continuing his broadcasting work, with no recent reports of significant health issues.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jimmy married Linda Kay Cooper on July 12, 1963, with whom he had two sons before divorcing in January 1990, and later married Rhonda Rookmaaker on July 18, 1999.
- He previously owned the Three Rings restaurant in Miami and currently owns JJ’s Big Chill, a bar and grill at mile marker 104 in Key Largo, Florida.
