Johnny Sample

Who was Johnny Sample?

John B. Sample, Jr. was an American football defensive back who played in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Redskins, and in the American Football League for the New York Jets.

Sample had the distinction of beginning and ending his career with championship wins in two of the most famous games in Professional Football history, and winning an NFL championship, an AFL championship, and a World Championship. In his rookie season, he won an NFL championship ring with the Colts in their victory over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL title game, which became known as The Greatest Game Ever Played. In his final season, he helped the Jets win the AFL Championship against the Oakland Raiders, and then to defeat the Colts in the third AFL-NFL World Championship, recording an interception in the Jets' 16–7 win. He is the only professional football player to have won all three: an NFL, AFL, and Super Bowl Championship.

Sample finished his 11 professional football seasons with 41 interceptions, which he returned for 460 yards and four touchdowns. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 61 yards.