Port Arthur, Texas, Jimmy Johnson hasn’t officially confirmed his illness, but an emotional tribute video aired during the Super Bowl LIX pregame show raised speculation about his health.
He appeared visibly emotional and teary-eyed, leading to questions about his retirement and potential health concerns.
Highlights
- Jimmy Johnson’s emotional AI tribute video, which aired during the Super Bowl LIX pregame show, raised speculation about his health and retirement.
- He hasn’t officially confirmed anything related to his retirement and health concerns.
- A long-time fan of the Survivor reality television completion show competed as one of the 20 castaways in Survivor: Nicaragua.
James William Johnson is a sports analyst and former football coach who coached on the collegiate level and in the NFL for nine seasons.
He is the first head football coach to win a college football national championship with the University of Miami and a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys.
His first coaching job was at Oklahoma State University in 1979, and he joined the University of Miami in 1984, replacing former head coach Howard Schnellenberger.
University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 1996 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Later, Jimmy served as head coach of the Cowboys from 1989 through 1993, becoming one of only seven men in NFL history to coach consecutive Super Bowl winners. He also replaced Don Shula, joining the Miami Dolphins in 1996.
Afterward, he became a TV studio analyst for Fox Sports and an on-air staff member on Fox NFL Sunday. He was assigned to cover the Bowl Championship Series and wrote a column for Foxsports.com.
Jimmy Johnson Hasn’t Confirmed His Illness And Retirement
Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Jhonson’s AI video was aired during the Super Bowl LIX pregame show, raising speculation about his retirement.
Netizens wondered if the sports analyst would join his colleague, Terry Bradshaw, in retirement after Super Bowl 59.
LEGEND.
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 9, 2025
An incredible look at the career of @JimmyJohnson from his time as a player to now 🏈🤩 pic.twitter.com/QGd3QmJxzi
Jimmy was crying on the set towards the end of the segment, and his future suddenly seemed uncertain. However, there were no words regarding his retirement.
Following the strange Super Bowl pregame segment, there are more questions than answers since it is unclear if he is dealing with any illness.
It began speculation that he could be retiring, and the crew recalled their past experiences and highly praised him throughout the show.
When host Curt Menefee asked Jimmy if this was his farewell, he said, “One day at a time, Curt.” This indicated that he’s considering retirement but is not ready to announce it officially.
Jimmy gave the same response to reporter Andrew Bucholtz when asked about his broadcasting future.
I used to say ‘One more year,’ and then it got to be, ‘well, i don’t know,’ and now it’s ‘One more day at a time.’ I never know. I’ll just see how i feel here going into next year.
Jimmy Johnson
After the tribute video, Jimmy told his colleagues he was blessed to have great players, assistants, coaches, and friends.
He began his television work as an analyst in 1994 but returned to coaching after two years. After retiring from coaching in 1999, he has been with the Fox network.
I can truly say because of my family and because of ya’ll, I’ve never been happier than in this time of my life. Happiest I’ve ever been in my life.
Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson Was One of 20 Castaways Competing In Survivor: Nicaragua
Former football coach Jimmy Johnson has been a long-time fan of the Survivor reality television completion show.
He participated in the 17th edition of the show Survivor: Gabon but had to withdraw after failing a physical. He failed a medical test after doctors discovered two blocked arteries.
Every year during the #SuperBowl I see Jimmy Johnson and I think “oh, there’s that one guy from #Survivor Nicaragua” and then I chuckle quietly to myself because 99% of the population would have that same realization in reverse watching his season pic.twitter.com/YICpObTPnb
— Ryan 🦈 (@suRYvor) February 10, 2025
Jimmy appeared competing in the 21st edition of Survivor in late 2010. He was the oldest contestant of the Espada tribe, made up entirely of people aged 40 and older.
Unfortunately, he was the third person to be voted out on Day Eight of the competition.
Although he wished his tribe to win a million bucks, the opposing La Flor tribe won the season.
I had fun, but I was miserable the whole time. I still love the game; it’s been a great adventure, but this is the most stressful time I’ve ever gone through in my life. And that includes Super Bowls and collegiate national championships. I initially said, ‘Keep your strongest members.’ I obviously wasn’t one of them.
Jimmy Johnson
Similarly, he endorsed Procter & Gamble and a series of commercials for the male enhancement pill ExtenZe in 2010.
He was also involved in a South Florida-based scam called The Leading Edge that purported to feature businesses on an educational and interstitial program.
Additional Information
- 81-year-old Jimmy Johnson was born on July 16, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas.
- He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and played college football as a defensive lineman at the University of Arkansas.
- He married Linda Kay Cooper on July 12, 1963, and Rhonda Rookmaaker on July 18, 1999.
- His net worth is estimated at $45 million as of 2025.
