Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
Wide Receiver - Kick Returner

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson

"I wasn't a hot dog, no. If I was, I was a lovable hot dog." - Billy 'White Shoes' Johnson

Billy “White Shoes” Johnson was an electrifying wide receiver and returner in the 1970s and 80s and an early pioneer of the end zone celebration. Johnson's signature touchdown dance was called "The Funky Chicken", based on the 1969 song "Do The Funky Chicken" by R&B singer Rufus Thomas. Wearing white shoes, Johnson would hold the ball up high, spread his legs and arms wide, and then continuously and rapidly knocked his knees together. Listed at 5-foot-9 and weighing 170 pounds, Johnson led the NFL in punt returns for touchdowns in 1975 and 1977. But perhaps his best play was as a Falcons wide receiver, when his 47-yard Hail Mary catch won a 1983 game against the 49ers. Johnson was a true underdog: a 15th round pick from tiny Division III Widener College, "White Shoes" ended up playing 15 NFL seasons for the Falcons, Oilers and Redskins.