An outstanding two-way tackle for Oscar E. “Okie” Johnson’s Muskegon Heights Tigers, Tom Johnson earned All-State gridiron honors in the fall of 1947. The Tigers rolled to 27 straight victories and three consecutive mythical state titles during Johnson’s years at MHHS. Johnson also competed in basketball and track for the Heights. An excellent shot putter, he set a Class A state record with a toss of 54 feet, 4-3/4 inches at the 1948 Michigan Interscholastic Track and Field championships.
Heavily recruited by colleges throughout the nation, Johnson selected the University of Michigan. Used on both sides of the line by head football coach Bennie Oosterbaan, he helped the Wolverines win the Big Ten title in 1949 and 1950. In Michigan’s 14-6 Rose Bowl victory over fourth-ranked California in 1951, the 6-foot-2, 225 pound junior finished second to teammate Don Dufek in the MVP voting. Although Michigan finished fourth in the Big Ten in 1951 with a 4-2 record and 4-5 overall, Johnson earned All-Big Ten honors on both offense and defense.
Upon graduation from Michigan, Johnson was named to the College All-Star team. Noted for his speed and power, he was selected in the sixth round of the 1952 National Football League draft by the Green Bay Packers. Following one year of service with the Packers, he received his draft notice from the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge from the armed forces 22 months later, Johnson returned to Green Bay for another season of action. In 1956, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Because of injuries, he retired from professional ball in 1957.