Murray State University Athletics
Racer Football Great Danny Lee Johnson To Have Jersey No. 26 Retired
9/25/2025 8:53:00 AM | Football, Hall of Fame
The Murray State Hall of Famer returns to MSU on homecoming day, Nov. 1
Murray State Athletics announced plans to retire the jersey of Racer Football great Danny Lee Johnson when the Racers host the Southern Illinois Salukis on Homecoming (Nov. 1) at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.
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Coming to Murray State from East Prairie, Missouri to play for Hall of Fame Coach Bill Fergerson in 1977, Johnson became the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and All-America by his second season in 1978.
"I came from nothing in little East Prairie," Johnson said from his home in Evansville. "My high school coach, Ed Nichols, took me in like I was his son. The love from that family led me to another family in Murray, the family of Dr. Dick Stout. This is about the people in your life and I have been blessed all along by the teammates, coaches, friends and countless others who have loved me. I want to thank Nico and the hall of fame committee for making this happen. It is truly an honor to have this happen to me from a place that still means very much to me today, Murray State University."
In 1981, Johnson finished his career with the Racers as program's second-leading rusher with 2,522 yards, a mark he still holds today.
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Honoring Johnson on homecoming is only fitting, because the 1978 homecoming win of 34-21 against East Tennessee was his masterpiece. Rushing for 203 yards on 27 carries against the Buccaneers, Johnson tied the MSU and Ohio Valley Conference record with four touchdowns in a single game. In 2025, this game by the flamboyant Johnson is one of only 15 players that had a 200-yard rushing games in MSU history.
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"Danny Lee had a tremendous career for the Racers as a record-breaking running back, and he is extremely deserving of this exclusive honor," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "This will be a momentous occasion for all of Racer Nation, and we are thrilled to hold this recognition during our Homecoming celebration."
Johnson was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2018. Upon his induction, Johnson added Stout to his name for the MSU Hall of Fame as a tribute to Dr. Dick Stout, who is also in the MSU HOF as a 2000 inductee.
Kickoff for the Homecoming is scheduled for 4 p.m. To purchase tickets, click HERE, or call the Murray State Ticket Office at (270) 809-3000.
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Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State Football on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersFootball).
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Coming to Murray State from East Prairie, Missouri to play for Hall of Fame Coach Bill Fergerson in 1977, Johnson became the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and All-America by his second season in 1978.
"I came from nothing in little East Prairie," Johnson said from his home in Evansville. "My high school coach, Ed Nichols, took me in like I was his son. The love from that family led me to another family in Murray, the family of Dr. Dick Stout. This is about the people in your life and I have been blessed all along by the teammates, coaches, friends and countless others who have loved me. I want to thank Nico and the hall of fame committee for making this happen. It is truly an honor to have this happen to me from a place that still means very much to me today, Murray State University."
In 1981, Johnson finished his career with the Racers as program's second-leading rusher with 2,522 yards, a mark he still holds today.
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Honoring Johnson on homecoming is only fitting, because the 1978 homecoming win of 34-21 against East Tennessee was his masterpiece. Rushing for 203 yards on 27 carries against the Buccaneers, Johnson tied the MSU and Ohio Valley Conference record with four touchdowns in a single game. In 2025, this game by the flamboyant Johnson is one of only 15 players that had a 200-yard rushing games in MSU history.
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"Danny Lee had a tremendous career for the Racers as a record-breaking running back, and he is extremely deserving of this exclusive honor," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "This will be a momentous occasion for all of Racer Nation, and we are thrilled to hold this recognition during our Homecoming celebration."
Johnson was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2018. Upon his induction, Johnson added Stout to his name for the MSU Hall of Fame as a tribute to Dr. Dick Stout, who is also in the MSU HOF as a 2000 inductee.
Kickoff for the Homecoming is scheduled for 4 p.m. To purchase tickets, click HERE, or call the Murray State Ticket Office at (270) 809-3000.
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Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State Football on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersFootball).
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