Pittsburgh acquired fullback John Henry Johnson from Detroit…
Pittsburgh acquired fullback John Henry Johnson from Detroit in April 1960 for two draft selections that the Lions used on Dick Mills in 1961 and John Lomakoski in 1962. Johnson enjoyed the best stretch of his Hall of Fame career with the Steelers, becoming the franchise's first 1,000-yard rusher and making three Pro Bowls. Detroit's two picks produced little comparable impact.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1961 third round pick (#34-Dick Mills)
- pick 1962 fourth round pick (#48-John Lomakoski)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player John Henry Johnson
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Did
Detroit traded John Henry Johnson to Pittsburgh on April 11, 1960 for two draft choices. Lions draft histories identify the incoming Pittsburgh selections as the 1961 third-round pick used on Dick Mills at No. 34 and the 1962 fourth-round pick used on John Lomakoski at No. 48. That removes the need to leave the pick identities as merely possible outcomes.
Why the Value Tilted
Johnson's Pittsburgh years were the most productive stretch of his professional career. He rushed for 621 yards in 1960 and 787 in 1961, then became the first Steelers player ever to surpass 1,000 rushing yards when he gained 1,141 in 1962. He topped 1,000 again in 1964, made three Pro Bowls with Pittsburgh, and later joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
How the Outcome Aged
Detroit at least received two chances in the draft, but neither Mills nor Lomakoski generated an impact that came close to Johnson's. The Lions were moving an aging back after a difficult 1959 season, so extracting two selections had reasonable logic. Hindsight changed the picture because Johnson flourished well into his thirties while the picks failed to become comparable building blocks.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh earns an A+ and the win because the Steelers acquired a Hall of Fame runner who set a franchise rushing milestone and remained productive for six seasons. Detroit earns a D because two mid-round selections did not yield meaningful compensation for the star Johnson became in Pittsburgh. The deal is a reminder that age-based veteran selloffs can backfire when the veteran still has several peak-level seasons left.