Keyshawn Johnson Net Worth, Early Life, Career

Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver who has an estimated net worth of around $20 million.

Keyshawn Johnson carved out a successful 11-year career in the NFL as a wide receiver for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers. The No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, Johnson made a name for himself on the field with his size, route-running, and physical style of play.

Keyshawn Johnson Net Worth

As of 2024, Keyshawn Johnson has an estimated net worth of around $20 million. After an 11-year NFL career earning close to $40 million in salaries with the Jets, Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Panthers, Johnson has been highly successful in his business, media, and endorsement endeavors post-retirement.

His sports radio show, Keyshawn, JWill and Max, and past work as an ESPN NFL analyst have provided a steady income stream since 2007. Johnson has also earned money from ABC’s Dancing with the Stars reality competition series.

Additionally, Johnson has multiple restaurant franchise investments in California, including ownership stakes in several Panera Bread and Cold Stone Creamery locations. His Keyshawn Johnson Brands company produces branded merchandise, including a shoe line with Adidas called Key.

Early Life and Education

Keyshawn Johnson was born in 1972 in Los Angeles, California. He had a difficult childhood as he grew up in a tough neighborhood with high rates of crime and gang violence. When Johnson was just a toddler, his father died, leaving his mother to raise him and his two sisters on her own.

Johnson attended Susan Miller Dorsey High School, where he excelled at football, basketball, and baseball. He earned All-City honors in all three sports. After graduating high school in 1990, Johnson attended the University of Southern California (USC) on a football scholarship. He set school records at USC with 102 career catches and 1,434 career receiving yards.

NFL Career Beginnings

The New York Jets selected Johnson with the first overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he caught 63 passes for 844 yards and led the Jets in receptions. Over his three seasons with the Jets, Johnson had 305 receptions for 4,108 yards and 31 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the premier wide receivers in the league.

In 2000, Johnson was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he helped lead the franchise to its first Super Bowl championship in 2002. After six seasons in Tampa Bay, Johnson went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers before retiring after the 2006 season. He finished his NFL career with 814 receptions for 10,571 yards and 64 touchdowns.

Source of Income

Keyshawn Johnson has built his wealth through a successful playing career in the NFL and savvy business investments after retirement. Drafted 1st overall by the New York Jets in 1996, Johnson played 11 seasons as a wide receiver for the Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers. He earned over $39 million total in NFL salaries and endorsements.

Since retiring after the 2006 season, Johnson has stayed involved in football as a broadcaster and established himself as an entrepreneur. He co-hosts the national ESPN Radio show Keyshawn, JWill and Max and previously worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN from 2007-2017.

Additionally, Johnson founded Keyshawn Johnson Brands, which markets shoes, apparel and other merchandise. He also invested in Panera Bread and Cold Stone Creamery franchises in California and commercial real estate.

Business Ventures

Keyshawn Johnson pursued business interests in broadcasting, real estate, restaurants, and fashion. He partnered with investors to build multiple Panera Bread and Cold Stone Creamery franchises in California.

In broadcasting, Johnson worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN from 2007 to 2017. He also co-hosts a national morning radio show called Keyshawn, JWill and Max on ESPN Radio. Johnson was a contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars in 2013.

In 2017, Johnson founded Keyshawn Johnson Brands, a branded merchandise company. He partnered with Adidas to launch his shoe line called Key.

Salary and Earnings

Keyshawn Johnson secured a 7-year, $15 million rookie contract with the New York Jets, including a $5.5 million signing bonus. This lucrative deal made Johnson one of the highest-paid receivers in football at the time. Over his three seasons in New York, Johnson earned nearly $13 million in salary and bonuses.

Johnson sat out all of 1999 while demanding a trade away from the Jets. He got his wish when Tampa Bay acquired him in 2000, signing him to a landmark 8-year, $56 million contract extension. This record-setting deal included an $8 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary for the 2000 season. Johnson went on to earn $24 million over his Tampa Bay career that spanned from 2000-2003.

The Dallas Cowboys traded for Johnson in 2004. Playing two seasons in Dallas, he made nearly $10.5 million in base pay and a $3.5 million roster bonus. Johnson’s salary dropped to $2 million for his final NFL season in Carolina in 2006 before retiring the following year.

Personal Life and Relationships

Keyshawn Johnson has four children with his ex-wife, Shikiri Hightower – two sons, Keyshawn Jr. and Vance, and two daughters, Maia and London. Johnson and Hightower split in 2002 after several years together.

That same year, Johnson married Jennifer Conrad, whom he first met in 2014. Conrad is the ex-wife of former NFL quarterback Jim Conrad. Keyshawn and Jennifer have one child together, a son named John.

In 2017, Johnson’s oldest son, Keyshawn Jr, pursued a football career like his father, playing college football at the University of Nebraska as a wide receiver. However, he was forced to retire two years later due to injuries. Johnson’s nephew, Michael Thomas, plays for the New Orleans Saints.

Outside family life, Johnson partnered with former NFL running back Ronnie Harmon to bring Wall Street investors together to fund inner-city development projects. He also enjoys golf, fishing, and coaching his son’s youth sports teams.

Philanthropy

Keyshawn Johnson has been active in charitable giving efforts to support youth and education programs. A significant portion of his community involvement stems from the Keyshawn Johnson Education Foundation, which he founded in 2004.

The Keyshawn Johnson Education Foundation aims to provide disadvantaged youth with resources, skills, and opportunities for future success. That includes scholarships, leadership development workshops, holiday gift donations, and partnerships with organizations supporting needy students. Johnson holds an annual golf tournament that raises money for the education foundation’s efforts nationwide.

Additionally, Johnson established the Heart 2 Heart Foundation, which works closely with the Keyshawn Johnson Education Foundation to address homelessness affecting youth and young adults.

Heart 2 Heart partners with shelters, community leaders, and other programs to increase resources devoted to helping homeless students continue their education.

FAQs on Keyshawn Johnson Net Worth

What team drafted Keyshawn Johnson number one overall?

The New York Jets selected wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, the first pick in the 1996 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern California. He played for the Jets from 1996-1999.

How much is Keyshawn Johnson’s net worth?

Keyshawn Johnson has built an estimated net worth of $20 million. His wealth comes from over $39 million earned in 11 NFL seasons, broadcasting work, and intelligent investments in restaurants, real estate, fashion, and merchandise branding.

What TV shows has Keyshawn Johnson been on?

Since retiring from the NFL, Johnson has worked extensively as an ESPN analyst on NFL programs such as Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, and SportsCenter.

What businesses does Keyshawn Johnson own?

Johnson co-owns several Panera Bread and Cold Stone Creamery franchises in California. He also founded Keyshawn Johnson Brands, which markets apparel and shoes, including a line with Adidas called Key. Johnson invests in commercial real estate and remains active in broadcast media.

Bottom Line

Keyshawn Johnson has transitioned successfully from the football field into business while building an impressive personal brand and net worth. His 11 standout seasons catching passes in the NFL earned him over $39 million and national recognition.