Calvin Johnson to retire, per report
Calvin Johnson is reportedly retiring after a tremendous career.
The Detroit Lions are going to be watching another superstar retire in the prime of his career, if this report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter is correct. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson informed both his family and head coach Jim Caldwell that 2015 was his last season, meaning he will step away from the National Football League at the age of 30.
Calvin Johnson told family 2015 would be his final year and delivered same message to Jim Caldwell after season ended, sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2016
Johnson was the second-overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and played nine seasons with the Lions, never winning a playoff game. Yet his career was nothing short of absolutely brilliant, as he finished with 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. Johnson was a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro.
In those 10 seasons, Johnson was able to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards on seven occasions, including each of the past six seasons. Last year, Johnson recorded 88 catches for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns, but nagging injuries and perhaps Detroit’s complete ineptitude as a franchise has forced him to retire early.
This is not the first time that the Lions have lost a great player in his prime. Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders retired on the cusp of the all-time leading rusher mark after the 1998 season because he lost the love of the game. His retirement came just one year after he ran for 2,000 yards.