5 reasons Calvin Johnson is a first ballot Hall of Famer

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Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) before the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

5. He has played on terrible Detroit Lions teams

The Detroit Lions were able to draft Calvin Johnson with the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft because of their embarrassing 3-13 2006 season. The Lions were able to increase their record to 7-9 the following season mainly because of their newly acquired target in Johnson.

Johnson has been apart of two winning seasons over the past nine years. The first winning season in Johnson’s career came in 2011, as the team finished 10-6 and were rewarded with a playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints absolutely dismantled the Lions 45-28. The second winning season came in 2014, as the Lions went 11-5 and were granted a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were able to sneak away with the 24-20 victory, ending the Johnson’s best shot a Super Bowl run.

The best losing season’s Johnson has been apart of were three, 7-9 seasons, the most recent being in 2015. The biggest eye sore of Johnson’s career is being apart of the 2008 0-16 Lions team that set a record for the worst record in NFL history. In the midst of the embarrassing season, Johnson was able to rack up 1331 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Johnson was able to turn an 0-16 season into something positive for his personal statistics, but I’m sure Johnson would rather have not been apart of the worst season in NFL history.

Next: 4. Nagging Injuries

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