Football in the NFL just won’t be the same.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has announced his official retirement from the NFL.
Johnson’s unique combination of size, strength have made him one of the most athletic and unstoppable football players to ever play the game.
Other players will have to fill the void of “Megatron’s” countless appearances in highlight reels, but the bigger burden will be on the Detroit Lions offense.
Johnson retires as the Lions career leader in receptions (731), receiving yards (11,619), receiving touchdowns (83) and most 100-yard receiving games (46). He also set a team record by recording a reception in the most consecutive games (135), which includes every game he played with the Lions.
Th Lions drafted Johnson with the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. Since that time, he has caught more touchdown passes (83) and earned more yards (11 619), than any other NFL player to 2015.
Johnson says he made the decision to retire after countless deliberation and prayer. His impact on the league and the game of football has been second to none.
If there is one thing that Johnson will be remembered for in how he played football, it has to be who he played it for. Johnson is a devout follower of Jesus Christ.
Johnson told FCA magazine back in 2012 that “as NFL players, we have such a platform to spread the word of God” and he was quick to defend that ““And that is an area I don’t mind speaking out on at all. As far as talking about my football skills, however, I will let my abilities and actions speak for themselves.”
A tattoo of Jesus’s crucifixion on Johnson’s left arm was displayed every game.
Johnson was the first to help off the field. He helped to establish the Calvin Johnson Jr. foundation in 2008 where at-risk youth can get help in education, training, and social development.
