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Prayers to the family of Bengal great Essex Johnson who apparently passed away yesterday morning, as reported by Bengal Jim.
The Bengals haven't announced it yet.
https://twitter.com/bengaljims_BTR/status/1322010062307676167
"We have been sentenced to life in the prison that is a Bengals fan and we are going to serve out our time"
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Paul Robinson may have been our first bell cow. But EJ was our first home run hitter.... Sad day.
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may he rest in peace...prayers for his family and friends
Winning makes believers of us all
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Under rated back. Really really good before knee injury.
Fast prayers to his family
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RIP E.J.
You will be missed by many.
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The Essex Express was one of my first Bengal heroes. 1973 was the first year I really started following the Bengals closely. I was 10 years old. They finished 10-4 and won the AFC Central. Lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Dolphins.
People talk about what a great RB duo we had with Brooks and Woods in '88 but Essex and Boobie Clark were a much more productive combo in 1973
1973...Essex Johnson 1353 (997 rush, 356 rec)
1973...Boobie Clark 1335 (988 rush, 347 rec)
Clark and Johnson combined for 2688 in just 14 games for an average of 192.0 per game.
1988...Ickey Woods 1265 (1066 rush, 199 rec)
1988...James Brooks 1218 (931 rush, 287 rec)
Woods and Brooks combined for 2483 in 16 games for an average of 155.2 per game.
Boobie Clark was a rookie that year just like Ickey Woods in '88. And just like Woods that was by far the best season in his career.
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Johnson was deadly as a receiver.
From 1970-73 he averaged 960 yards from scrimmage, 4.7 yards per carry and 14.2 yards per reception (86 for 1224 yds). In those 4 years He had 9 receiving tds with 6 of them 39 yards or longer (39, 49, 51, 65, 67, and 78)
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Damn! Peace be with you, Mr. Johnson.
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The Essex Express and my man Speedy were teammates. Those early years were so much fun. Paul Brown picked a bunch of gems from HBC's when not many others were. Just another way he was far ahead of his time.
I remember you well, 19. Rest in peace.
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RIP Essex.
I am a tad younger than Fred, but those Boobie Clark/Essex teams were the first Bengal teams I can remember.