Daryl Johnston
Daryl Peter "Moose" Johnston (born February 10, 1966) is an American former professional football player who is currently the executive vice president of football operations for the UFL. He played college football at Syracuse University. He was the general manager of the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019, the director of player personnel for the Dallas Renegades in 2020, and served as the executive vice president of football operations for the revived incarnation of the USFL for its inaugural season.
United Football League
Executive vice president of football operations
February 10, 1966
Youngstown, New York, U.S.
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
242 lb (110 kg)
Lewiston-Porter (Youngstown, New York)
1989 / Round: 2 / Pick: 39
753
753
3.2
22
2,227
Early years[edit]
Johnston was named Western New York Player of the Year in 1983, while playing for Lewiston-Porter High School (locally known as Lew-Port) in Lewiston, New York. The Lancers won the division during his senior year in 1984. His Lew-Port jersey (number 34) was retired on September 1, 2006. In 2008, he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.[1]
College career[edit]
Johnston attended Syracuse University. As a redshirted freshman, he started playing on special teams and would earn the starting fullback position by his sophomore season in 1986.
While playing for Syracuse, Johnston was an All-Big East selection in 1987 and an All-American in 1988. He rushed for 1,830 yards and caught 46 passes during his collegiate career. He once gained 138 yards rushing, the most by a Syracuse running back since Larry Csonka rushed for 154 yards in 1967.
He graduated with a degree in economics.
Legacy[edit]
Johnston was considered one of the greatest fullbacks of his day, while blocking for Emmitt Smith, as Smith went on to become the all-time NFL rushing leader. However, Johnston was not the lead blocker for Smith's entire career. A neck injury prematurely ended Johnston's career. Johnston was present the day Smith broke the rushing record; he was in the broadcasting booth, but came down onto the field to hug Smith and congratulate him afterward. As Smith made his victory lap of Texas Stadium after the record-setting carry, Johnston hung back in the shadows. When Smith saw Johnston, the two joined together in an emotional embrace, with Smith telling Johnston, "I couldn't have done it without you." Johnston replied, "It was my pleasure. I couldn't imagine doing it for anybody else."[8]
In 2010, Johnston was in the audience for Emmitt Smith's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During his acceptance speech, a visibly emotional Smith spoke directly to Johnston, calling out the fact that, as a fullback, he had sacrificed himself for so many years to block for Smith. "Without you", Smith said, "I know that today would not have been possible."[9]
Executive career[edit]
In 2018, Johnston became the General Manager of the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football.[12]
On May 15, 2019, he was named Director of Player Personnel for the Dallas Renegades of the new XFL.[13]
On November 17, 2021, he was named Executive Vice President of Football Operations.[14]
On April 6, 2023, he was named the President of Football Operations for the second season of the newest incarnation of the USFL.[15]
Personal life[edit]
A native of Youngstown, New York, Johnston now resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife Diane, son Aidan, and daughter Evan.