Edward Johnson

Edward Johnson or Eddie Johnson may refer to:

Politicians

Cultural figures

Sports figures

Lynching of Ed Johnson

In 1906, a young black man named Ed Johnson was murdered by a lynch mob in his home town of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He had been sentenced to death for the rape of Nevada Taylor, but Justice John Marshall Harlan of the United States Supreme Court had issued a stay of execution. To prevent delay or avoidance of execution, a mob broke into the jail where Johnson was held and lynched him.

During Johnson's incarceration there was much public interest in the case, and many people including court officers feared a possible lynch attempt. The day after his murder saw widespread strikes among the black community in Chattanooga. Two thousand people attended his funeral on the next day.

Following the murder, President Roosevelt made it his goal to have the members of the mob put in jail by getting the secret service men in on the investigation.Sheriff Joseph Shipp, who had arrested Johnson, was found guilty of contempt of court in United States v. Shipp, the only criminal trial ever held by the United States Supreme Court.

Ed Johnson (American football)

Edward Andre Johnson (born December 18, 1983 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Penn State.

Early years

Johnson was a multi-sport star at Crockett Technical High School in Detroit, playing football, basketball and track and field. Won the class B state championship in the 100 m and 200 m dash in both 1997 and 1998.

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

Johnson had an immediate impact in his NFL debut, registering 3 solo tackles in the Colt's Week 1 victory over the New Orleans Saints in relief of the injured Anthony McFarland. He would lead Colts linemen in tackles in 2007 with 72, including a season-high 9 tackles in the Colts' AFC Divisional Playoff loss to the San Diego Chargers. He finished the season ranked in the top 20 in tackles among NFL rookies.

The only defensive lineman to start all 16 games for the Colts in 2007, Johnson received the Thomas W. Moses Sr./Noble Max Award, given annually by Indianapolis media to a player "who has overcome adversity in his career, or whose on-field accomplishments exceeded normal expectations."