Johnson was a two-time Super Bowl champion.
Several reports on Twitter have confirmed that former Broncos defensive back Darrius Johnson has passed away at the age of 47.
Johnson was a Terrell, Oklahoma, native who played defensive back and returner for the Oklahoma University Sooners from 1992 and 1995. He was picked up by the Broncos in 1996 as a fourth-round draft pick and played for the Broncos for four seasons—a total of 61 games.
Before the age of 26, he had two Super Bowl titles under his belt thanks to the Broncos winning squads in 1997 and 1998, adding clutch plays, like an interception in Super Bowl XXXIII against the Atlanta Falcons, to help clinch the wins.
Johnson also briefly played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003.
Cale Gundy, former Sooners teammate and current Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator, expressed his condolences on Twitter.
Sooner Nation, we lost a great one this morning in Darrius Johnson. DJ played corner for the Sooners from 92-95. He went on to play in the NFL for 5 seasons & won 2 Super Bowls with the Broncos. DJ was a great friend, great teammate & an even better brother. Love ya DJ! 🙏
— Cale Gundy (@OU_CoachGundy) February 25, 2021
According to reports, Johnson was hospitalized earlier this week with what his family described as an old football-related injury to his kidney and was transferred to Hugley Texas Health in Fort Worth, Texas, where he passed away.
Former Broncos player Nick Ferguson posted his condolences on Twitter on February 25 upon hearing the news.
There was always something special about wearing #25 for the @Broncos that went deeper than the game. Today our football family lost another member. Condolences to the family & teammates of Darrius ‘DJ’ Johnson. #Broncoscountry 😞 #RIP DJ @NFLLegends @NFLPAFmrPlayers pic.twitter.com/ea16d3ffkL
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) February 25, 2021
