JoJo Townsell

Joseph Ray Townsell (born November 4, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) and United States Football League (USFL).

Early life Townsell attended Hug High School in Reno, Nevada, where he earned all-Zone and all-State honors; in 2004, he was inducted into the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame.

College career Townsell attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was a sociology major. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins as a four-year starter from 1979 to 1982.

On October 25, 1980, he had a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown in a 32–9 UCLA win against California.

On September 11, 1982, he set a UCLA record with four receiving touchdowns in one game, a 41–10 UCLA win against Long Beach State. For the 1982 season, he was named second-team All-Pac-10.

Professional career In April 1983, Townsell was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 1983 NFL draft, and participated in Jets mini-camps. However, in June 1983, he signed a four-year, $110,000 per year, contract with the Los Angeles Express of the USFL. Two days after signing, in his first USFL game, Townsell had the game-winning receiving touchdown in a 17–13 Express win against the Arizona Wranglers.

In August 1985, he bought out his USFL contract and signed a three-year contract with the Jets.

On December 13, 1986, Townsell recorded a 93-yard kickoff return touchdown, in a 24–45 Jets loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 1989, Townsell led the Jets with 787 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns. He was named the Jets MVP for the 1989 season.

In week 5 of the 1990 season, Townsell suffered a turf toe injury; in June 1991, he had surgery to remove a bone in his big toe.

Townsell retired from professional football on October 25, 1991.

In 1997, Townsell and Suzi founded the Me-For-Incredible-Youth (MeFiYi) Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to help Nevada youth.