49ers great Jimmy Johnson, cornerback in the 1960s and 1970s, has died at age 86

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmy Johnson, one of six members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who spent his entire career with the franchise, died Wednesday evening at age 86.

“The 49ers family is deeply saddened by the passing of one of the NFL’s all-time greats, Jimmy Johnson,” the team said in a statement. “Jimmy embodied the essence of what it meant to be a 49er. He was the ultimate gentleman and will be remembered for his humility, kindness and gracious demeanor. We express our condolences to his wife Gisela and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Johnson, whose death was announced by the Hall of Fame on Thursday, was selected to the Pro Bowl five times and All-Pro three times during his 16-year career (1961-76). He ranks second in franchise history in interceptions (47) and interception return yards (615), trailing only Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott in those categories. Johnson also ranks second in games played (213) for the 49ers, trailing only Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice.

Johnson has received numerous honors throughout his career. He was a first-string corner on the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team and his jersey (No. 37) was retired by the 49ers in 1977. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. Johnson, Bryant Young, Leo Nomellini, Bob St. Clair, Dave Wilcox and Patrick Willis are the Hall of Fame members who only played for the 49ers. Willis is scheduled to officially launch this summer.

“The idea that a ‘lockdown’ cornerback could cut the field in half for the opponent resonated with Jimmy,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said. “Other teams’ quarterbacks rarely looked his way and usually regretted the decision when they challenged him.”

Johnson said in 1994 of the reluctance to test him: “I had four or five balls thrown my way, usually to see if my head was in the game.”

Johnson played both wingback and defensive back at UCLA. The younger brother of 1960 Olympic decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson, he shared his siblings’ track and field talent: Johnson was an All-American and NCAA champion in the 110-meter hurdles.

Johnson was the No. 6 pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. The 49ers expected to use him as a wide receiver as a rookie, but those plans were dashed when he broke his wrist before training camp.

The 49ers then moved him to cornerback and he responded with five interceptions.

In 1962, Johnson’s only full season as a wide receiver, he had 34 receptions for 627 yards and ranked 12th in the league in yards per catch (18.4).

In 1963 he returned to defense, where he remained for the rest of his career.