The Leicester Tigers, England and British Irish Lions second row gathered more than 10 per cent of the 31,000 votes cast by rugby fans across the world.
The award, which is part of the 100 year celebrations of Twickenham Stadium, is representative of the best players seen at Twickenham Stadium in the last hundred years who have retired from the game.
Johnson, who has been selected in the Tigers Walk of Legends on the approach to the new Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road, edged out Wales legend Gareth Edwards and fellow 2003 World Cup winner Jason Robinson.
Tigers legend Johnson said: “This is a huge honour and it's a privilege to be named in the company of so many great players."
Johnson was chosen from a top ten shortlist which also included fellow Tigers Legend Rory Underwood and ex-Tigers flanker Neil Back as well as Lawrence Dallaglio (England), Richard Hill (England), Jonah Lomu (New Zealand), David Duckham (England and Serge Blanco (France).
