Jimmy Johnson, a former star of the San Francisco 49ers and a member of the Hall of Fame, passes away at 86 years old.

Jimmy Johnson, a beloved figure in San Francisco 49ers history and a revered member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has passed away at the age of 86. His death was confirmed by both the 49ers and the Pro Football Hall of

Fame via posts on the X social media platform on Thursday. While the cause of his death has not been disclosed, Johnson had been battling declining health for a period, as revealed by his family to the Hall of Fame.

San Francisco 49ers legend Jimmy Johnson, who spent 16 seasons with the team and earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, passed away at the age of 86.

The 49ers and the Pro Football Hall of Fame shared news of his passing via posts on the X social media platform on Thursday. Although the cause of death has not been disclosed, Johnson had been experiencing declining health for some time, as confirmed by his family to the Hall of Fame.

Johnson was selected by the 49ers as the sixth overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft from UCLA, where he showcased his talents both as a wingback/receiver and a defensive back. Notably, Johnson also excelled in track at UCLA,

following in the footsteps of his older brother, former Olympic decathlon champion Rafer Johnson.

Initially drafted for offense, Johnson transitioned to defensive back due to a wrist injury during his rookie season, where he made an immediate impact with five interceptions. He later returned to offense briefly in 1962 before being

called back to the defense as a safety due to injuries in the defensive backfield. In 1964, he settled into the left cornerback position, which he held for the remainder of his illustrious career.

Johnson retired in 1976 after appearing in 213 regular-season games, setting a record for most games played by a 49er at the time.

Jimmy Johnson, a revered figure in the history of the San Francisco 49ers and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, has passed away at the age of 86.

His death was announced by both the 49ers and the Pro Football Hall of Fame through posts on the X social media platform on Thursday. Although the cause of death has not been revealed, Johnson had been facing declining health, as attested by his family to the Hall of Fame.

Johnson joined the 49ers as the sixth overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft from UCLA, where he showcased his skills in both offensive and defensive positions, alongside excelling in track, following the legacy of his elder brother, former Olympic decathlon champion Rafer Johnson.

Initially drafted for offense, Johnson switched to defensive back due to a wrist injury during his rookie season, where

he immediately left his mark with five interceptions. After a brief return to offense in 1962, he was redeployed to

defense as a safety due to injuries in the defensive backfield. By 1964, he found his niche at left cornerback, a position he occupied for the remainder of his illustrious career.

Johnson concluded his career in 1976 after participating in 213 regular-season games, setting a record for the most games played by a 49er at the time.