Calvin Johnson, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, is going to retire. He told family members that this past season would be his final season in the NFL. Johnson told Head Coach Jim Caldwell the day after the regular season ended his plans. According to ESPN, Caldwell told Johnson to take his time on the decision. On Monday it didn’t change. Is it really time for Calvin Johnson to leave the game of football?
Calvin Johnson was drafted by the Detroit Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. His first season he played in 15 games with 48 receptions for 756 yards and 4 touchdowns. That was just a sample of what he could do for the Lions. The next year he had 1,331 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. That would be the first of 7 years with at least 1,000 yards. His best season came in 2012 when he had 1,964 yards receiving. Johnson’s career numbers are impressive with 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns.
Johnson is leaving the game in his prime at 30 years old. Sure 9 years is a pretty decent career and he still can play at a high level. His speed helps him separate from the defenders. His height at 6 foot 5 inches allows him to leap for passes in the open field. Defenders can’t cover him one-on-one because he will burn them for yardage or touchdowns. He was a favorite target of quarterback Matthew Stafford.
According to ESPN, Lions Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah said,
“I would love to see him back, but it’s his decision to make. He’s a great guy who has a lot of respect for the game. … He’s a professional, and he’s somebody that I look up to. Whatever decision he’s gonna make, I’m gonna support him, and I’m glad to call him my teammate.”
Johnson is the only person who knows about his body and the future. He will be departing the game when he could still play. One has to wonder if Johnson has had enough because the Lions have been a poor football team for most of his 9 seasons. They have made the playoffs only twice. He has never reached a championship game let alone a Super Bowl. Playing for a championship is the only accomplishment left for him. If this is the end of the line for Johnson, it has been one great career. He will go down as one of the best Lions all-time receivers.
What do you think of Calvin Johnson retiring?
I can understand why he would retire even if he is only 30 years old. He plays at a high intensity level and despite his stats he has taken some pretty intense hits over the past nine years, perhaps he wants to give his body a chance to rest before he causes more damage. Possibly as you mentioned it could be because his team has not reached the ultimate level. What do you think is the reason behind his thinking about retiring?
The guy can play we all know that. I think he has made his money and wants to win a Super Bowl ring. It’s just like Barry Sanders. The Lions aren’t a good team and he sees that. He is not he type of player to ask for trade. He would rather retire than play for the Lions even though he could ask for a trade.