In the early 1970s, Johnny Parker became the face of Southwest Texas State football, rewriting the Bobcats’ record book with a career built on precision, grit, and uncanny elusiveness. A graduate of Sam Rayburn High School, Parker had been a standout in both football and basketball before heading to New Mexico State. After one season, he transferred to Southwest Texas (now Texas State University) in 1969, where he immediately became the team’s go-to receiver.

Parker’s debut season was extraordinary—he caught 58 passes for 927 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 102 receiving yards per game, a school record that still stands. By the end of his career, he had set lasting marks with 160 receptions, 2,479 yards, and an average of 82.3 yards per game. His 19 career touchdown catches held as a school record until 2008. In 1971, Parker capped his career with first-team All-Lone Star Conference honors, honorable mention All-American recognition, and a co-conference championship, highlighted by a decisive touchdown against Texas A&I.

What makes his achievements even more remarkable is that Parker played much of his college career with a severe knee injury, enduring surgery and rehabilitation yet returning to cement his place as one of the greatest receivers in school history. Though the injury ended his professional football prospects, Parker’s connection to the program endured as he spent 27 years with Texas State’s campus police, often assisting at football games. In 2016, he was inducted into the Texas State Athletics Hall of Honor.