Christopher Johnson (American football executive)

Christopher Wold Johnson (born c. 1959) is an American businessman and sports executive who is the owner, CEO, and chairman of the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL).[1] He is a great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I (co-founder of Johnson & Johnson), and the brother of Woody Johnson who is currently the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom and is also an owner of the Jets.[2]

Christopher Johnson
Born
Christopher Wold Johnson

1959 (age 60–61)
New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman and sports executive
Known forOwner, CEO, and chairman of the New York Jets
Spouse(s)
Doris Wong (m. 2018)
Parents
RelativesWoody Johnson
(brother)

Early life

Johnson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States. He is the son of Betty (Wold) and Robert Wood Johnson III, president of Johnson & Johnson for four years. Johnson grew up with four siblings, Woody Johnson, Keith Johnson, Billy Johnson, and Elizabeth "Libet" Johnson, in affluent areas of northern New Jersey. In 1975, Keith died of a cocaine overdose, and Billy died in a motorcycle accident.[3]

Professional sports

New York Jets

Johnson has been an owner of the New York Jets alongside his brother, Woody, since 2000.

In 2017, Johnson became the CEO and chairman of the Jets following Woody’s nomination and confirmation to be the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Johnson is serving as operating head of the Jets during his brother's ambassadorial tenure.

Stance on Kneeling
See also: U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present)

Johnson has supported the collective actions of his players' rights and privileges to kneel or to stay in the locker room during the pre-game playing of the American anthem. While he was one of the NFL Team owners that voted for the policy enacted in May 2018 to penalize and fine any player who does not stand during the Anthem[4] he has offered to pay the fines incurred by players who choose to kneel or stay in the locker room stating:

"If somebody [on the Jets] takes a knee, that fine will be borne by the organization, by me, not the players." Johnson said. "I never want to put restrictions on the speech of our players. Do I prefer that they stand? Of course. But I understand if they felt the need to protest. There are some big, complicated issues that we're all struggling with, and our players are on the front lines. I don't want to come down on them like a ton of bricks, and I won't. There will be no club fines or suspensions or any sort of repercussions. If the team gets fined, that's just something I'll have to bear."[5]

Personal life

In 2018, Johnson married Doris Wong, a businesswoman who is currently a business affair executive for Endeavor Global Marketing in New York.

References
  1. "Christopher Johnson has complete control of Jets, including Todd Bowles, Mike Maccagnan". The Star-Ledger. September 20, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  2. "Woody Johnson nominated as US ambassador to Britain". The Guardian. June 22, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  3. Wilson, Duff (November 11, 2004). "Behind the Jets, a Private Man Pushes His Dream". New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2010. He grew up in affluent areas of New Jersey, attended the elite Millbrook School in the Hudson Valley and worked menial summer jobs at Johnson & Johnson with the expectation of ascending to the top of the family business.
  4. "Some NFL owners ready to go rogue on new anthem policy". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  5. "Jets acting owner: I'll pay fines if my players don't stand for national anthem". CBS News. Retrieved May 25, 2018.


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