Johnson was born in
Genesee County, Michigan, but moved to
Spokane, Washington as a child. In 1915, as a Spokane high school student, he competed as an individual in the National Interscholastics and finished second in the team competition. Competing for Michigan at the 1919
IC4A, he won the long jump, placed second in the 100 yard dash, and tied for second in the
high jump. He also had his personal best long jump, in 1919. ==Olympics==