Few likely know the NFL employs 64 uniform inspectors, and many probably have no clue Cholla High School and Arizona great Vance Johnson is one of them.
Uniform inspectors are generally former players who are assigned to a team’s home games to ensure that both teams comply with the league’s uniform rules.
Johnson, an All-Pro receiver in his 10 years with the Denver Broncos, was on the sideline during Monday’s game at Las Vegas when the Raiders hosted the New Orleans Saints.
Johnson posted this on Facebook on Thursday: “As a former Pro Ball Player, now one of the New NFL Uniform Inspectors, I was honored to be in charge of making sure the Saints at last nights Monday Night Raiders vs Saints where in accordance to League guidelines.
In four seasons as starter for the Wildcats from 1981 to 1984, Johnson a multi-purpose back, amassed 2,885 yards with 104 receptions and 31 touchdowns, while also returning 62 kickoffs for 1,369 yards and another score.
Johnson was also a world-class long jumper. In 1982, he won the NCAA championship, as well as winning the gold medal at the Junior Pan American games. In 1984, Johnson just missed making the U.S. Olympic team, finishing fourth in the long jump at the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials.
In 1980, the all-metro running backs in Tucson were Johnson and Sunnyside’s Fred Sims and David Adams. Sims went on to play for Oklahoma. Adams, a junior in 1980, joined Johnson at Arizona in 1982 and played through 1986.
Johnson rushed for 1,386 yards as a senior with the Chargers.
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon.
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