Johnny Clement
John Louis "Johnny Zero" Clement was an American professional football player who was a tailback and quarterback. He played college football for the SMU Mustangs from 1937 to 1940 and professional football for the Chicago Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Hornets. In 1947, he led the NFL with an average of 5.2 yards per rushing carry in 1947, and his 670 rushing yards ranked second in the NFL. His career was cut short by a pinched nerve in his neck.
Early years
Clement was born in 1919 in Stonebluff, Oklahoma. He attended Eldorado High School in Eldorado, Texas. He later enrolled at Southern Methodist University. He played college football as a halfback for the SMU Mustangs from 1937 to 1940.Professional football
Chicago Cardinals
Clement was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the fourth round, 28th overall pick, of the 1941 NFL draft. He appeared in nine games, four as a starter, for the Cardinals during the 1941 season, tallying 690 passing yards and 94 rushing yards.Military service
After the 1941 season, Clement served as an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a B-29 pilot during the war. He also played service football for the 1944 Maxwell Field Marauders football team and 1945 Army Air Forces Training Command Skymasters football team. During the 1944 season, he completed 41 of 107 passes for 534 yards, scored 70 points, and tallied 862 rushing yards on 150 carries.Pittsburgh Steelers
Prior to the 1946 season, the Cardinals traded Clement to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Clement had worn the jersey number "zero" while playing football for the military and became known as "Johnny Zero" in 1944. While playing for Pittsburgh, continued to wear the "zero" jersey number.In 1946, Clement appeared in 11 games, tallying 345 passing yards and 60 rushing yards.
Clement had his best season in 1947. In 10 games, he completed 42 of 123 passes for 1,004 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also tallied 670 rushing yards on 129 carries with four rushing touchdowns. His average of 5.2 yards per carry was the best in the NFL, and his 670 rushing yards ranked second. At the end of the 1947 season, he was selected by the Associated Press for the All-NFL team.
In 1948, Clement appeared in five games, tallying 281 passing yards and 261 rushing yards. His season was cut short when he experienced numbness in his left arm. He had pinched a nerve in his neck in 1946, and the nerve injury recurred and cut short his 1948 season.