Bethel Johnson

WR#81

Bethel Johnson was born on February 11th, 1979 to Sylvia Johnson. He attended Corsicana High School where he led the football team to the Class 4A state title game. He grabbed 39 catches for 979 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a senior he returned 10 punts for 212 yards and two scores and five kickoffs for 167 yards and a touchdown. Bethel went to Texas A&M where he played in 35 games catching 117 passes for 1,740 yards and 11 touchdowns. He broke the previous school records of 110 catches and 1576 yards. As a senior he started every game, finishing third on the team with 40 receptions for 718 yards. Bethel Johnson was drafted by the Patriots in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He was signed by the Patriots on July 21st 2003. As a rookie Bethel led the AFC in kickoff return average with 28.2 yards average. Against Indianapolis in 2003 he was named AFC Special Teams Player of Week as he returned five kickoffs for 192 yards and a touchdown. Bethel's best catch was against Seattle in 2004 on a third-and-seven late in the fourth quarter when he made a sensational 48-yard diving reception. Against Cleveland on in 04' he returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. When Bethel first signed pro he bought his mother a house and a new car.