Joseph Ray "JoJo" Townsell was chosen in the sixth round by the L.A. Express.  Opting to wait until the NFL draft had concluded before signing with a team, the New York Jets picked up his NFL rights, choosing him in their third round - creating the rare situation where a player had gone in a higher round in the NFL draft than the USFL.  Nonetheless Townsell would sign with the Express on June 5, 1983, playing in five games in the league's inaugural season.  

1984 would be the year in which Townsell would demonstrate his capabilities, catching 58 passes to lead the Express, along with 7 touchdowns - including an April 14 game against the Memphis Showboats where he set the single-game receiving yardage record with 249.  With Steve Young at quarterback and Kevin Nelson in the backfield carrying the water, the Express won the Pacific Division title that year and advanced to the Western Conference championship game.  In 1985 he would lead the Express in receiving again, with 47 receptions and another 777 yards to go along with 6 touchdowns. 

Townsell's days with the Express mercifully over (the team, which was operated by the league in 1984, not only went 3-15-0 but was a disaster in every way imaginable), he went on to the NFL and the New York Jets, where he would play for six seasons, predominately on special teams.

JOJO TOWNSELL

Los Angeles Express
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