Fansided

5 reasons Calvin Johnson is a first ballot Hall of Famer

By Caleb Luketic

Nov 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter of a NFL game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter of a NFL game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

3. He set the NFL single-season receiving record in the midst of a losing season

The greatest receiver in NFL history is no doubt Jerry Rice. Every receiver looks up to Rice in hopes on one day beating his records. Calvin Johnson is one of the few receivers to ever say he did something better than Jerry Rice. Johnson was able to break Rice’s incredible 1,848 receiving yard season in 1995 in 2012. Johnson had his eye set on being the first receiver ever to hit 2,000 receiving yards in a  season, but he fell just short of that goal. Johnson racked up 1,964 receiving yards, which is now the NFL record for most receiving yards in a single season.

One would think that Johnson was on a playoff team, perhaps a division winner, when this record was set in the 2012 season; however, the Detroit Lions were the farthest thing from a playoff team that year. The Lions finished 4-12, one of the worst season’s Johnson’s team has had.

It is remarkable that Johnson was able to accumulate almost 2,000 receiving yards when his team had a difficult time winning a football game. Just imagine what Johnson’s statistics might have been if he was on a team that was contending for a Super Bowl.

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