William Levi Johnson, Sr. (September 14, 1926 – January 7, 2011), known as Bill "Tiger" Johnson, was a professional football player and coach. He was born in Tyler, Texas, where he was raised by his single mother and five older siblings. Among his siblings was older brother Gilbert Johnson, who played quarterback at Southern Methodist University with the iconic running back Doak Walker. Bill was a legendary football and baseball star for Tyler Junior College and Texas A&M University, and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University. [1] He played center for the San Francisco 49ers from 1948 to 1956.