Johnny Richard Carson Sr. (January 31, 1930 – April 1, 2009) was an American professional football player who was a tight end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) from 1953 to 1959. He also played for the Houston Oilers of the American Football League (AFL) during their inaugural season in 1960. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, earning first-team All-American honors in 1953. Carson was selected in the 15th round of the 1953 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He died Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at Abbey Hospice in Social Circle.