The NFL lost another star on Tuesday, as Detroit Lions fans are watching another dynamic playmaker in Calvin Johnson walk away from the game while arguably still one of the best at his position in the league.
The Detroit Lions wide receiver released a statement announcing his retirement on Tuesday, and joins a list of historic players that have changed the game of football. Johnson only played nine seasons in the NFL, but was an impact player that fans across the league loved to watch and could now be joining an historic 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
While many will debate whether the Lions star receiver is Hall of Fame worthy, there is no denying the greatness of his career. Johnson is 27th on the all-time receiving leaders list, and holds this single-season receiving yards record when he caught 122 passes for 1,964 yards in 2012. The Lions dynamic playmaker leaves the franchise as the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, and holds the record for the most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a player who has never won a playoff game.
"After much prayer, thought and discussion with loved ones, I have made a the difficult decision to retire from the Lions and pro football," said Johnson. "I have played my last game of football. Let me assure you that this was not an easy or hasty decision. As I stated, I, along with those closest to me have put a lot of time, deliberation and prayer into this decision and I truly am at peace with it."
The Lions receiver has filed his retirement papers, and leaves the team with a glaring hole at the receiver position. The 6-foot-5, 237-pound wide out was a special talent that could burn past corners half his size, but could also go up and rip balls away in contested coverage. There is no doubt that at 30 years old, Johnson was still a huge factor in this league, as he caught 88 passes for 1,214 yards and scored nine touchdowns last season.
The game and fans across the league will miss his incredible highlight catches on Sundays, but Johnson will always be remembered as one of the most dominant receivers of this era and should surely find himself in Canton, eventually.
