Derrick Johnson will be the 2026 inductee into the Chiefs Hall of Fame

The Kansas City Chiefs recently announced that former linebacker Derrick Johnson will be the 55th individual inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame this season.

"I am so grateful and honored to be inducted into the Chiefs Ring of Honor," Johnson said in a statement. "I played 13 years in Arrowhead and always dreamed of one day having my name at the top of the stadium alongside of other legends. I want to thank Clark Hunt and the entire Chiefs organization for making my dreams come true. To the fans, your passion made every moment unforgettable, and now my name will echo in the stadium and through the hearts of Chiefs Kingdom forever. Thank you, Lord."

Johnson spent 13 years in Kansas City from 2005-17, appearing in 182 games, the most by any linebacker in team history. He helped the Chiefs reach the playoffs six times during his tenure.

"My family and I are honored to welcome Derrick Johnson as the newest member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame," Clark Hunt said in a statement. "Derrick is one of the all-time greats, and he was a cornerstone of our franchise for more than a decade."

Johnson was drafted out of the University of Texas as the 15th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and multi-year team captain in Kansas City. During his interview last year with Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr., Johnson reflected in depth on his playing career and life after football as a children's book author.

Super DJ Saves Field Day, an inspiring story about a dad-turned-superhero who flies in to help kids overcome challenges and find their own superpowers, was released by Black Rose Writing.