Calvin Johnson is broadly thought-about the best broad receiver in Detroit Lions historical past.
Regardless of Johnson’s standout particular person performances over the course of his nine-year profession in Detroit, the group didn’t expertise a lot success throughout his tenure. Johnson was a member of the 2021 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame class. The Lions shared a congratulatory submit on social media in January 2021, praising Johnson after he was named a Corridor of Fame finalist.
Shortly after the Lions defeated the Vikings on Christmas Eve to clinch a division title for the primary time since 1993, Johnson took to X to love, share and reply to the almost 3-year-old submit.
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Former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets broad receiver Calvin Johnson on the sector towards the Syracuse Orange previous to the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Subject in Atlanta Nov. 18, 2023. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports activities)
“Much appreciated. Thanks for the continuous support! Love my city!” Johnson wrote on Sunday afternoon. Johnson abruptly stepped away from soccer following the 2015 season.
Johnson completed his standout profession with 11,619 receiving yards. The previous Georgia Tech football star surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in six of his 9 seasons.
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He was simply 30 years previous when he determined to depart the NFL. Johnson’s relationship with the franchise has been considerably strained since his surprising retirement. The group reportedly requested Johnson to repay roughly $1.6 million of his signing bonus following his retirement.
Detroit Lions broad receiver Calvin Johnson makes a catch towards the Washington Redskins within the fourth quarter of an NFL soccer sport in Detroit on Oct. 26, 2008. (AP Picture/Paul Sancya, File)
The connection between Johnson and his previous group has appeared to enhance over time. He made an look at Ford Subject earlier this season for the Lions Week 2 sport towards Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson additionally hosted a highschool soccer camp on the Lions coaching facility earlier this 12 months. ESPN beforehand reported that Johnson attended a minicamp session.
Former Detroit Lions broad receiver Calvin Johnson speaks after being introduced his Corridor of Fame ring throughout halftime of an NFL soccer sport towards the Baltimore Ravens in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (AP Picture/Tony Ding)
Detroit gained simply 4 video games in 2012 when Johnson collected 1,964 receiving yards.
The Lions completed with a 4-12 report in 2012. In 2014, the Lions went 11-5 and certified for the postseason. Nevertheless, Detroit in the end suffered a 24-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys within the wild-card spherical.
Lions coach Dan Campbell has helped flip the franchise’s fortunes round. Clinching the division title on Sunday gave the Lions the correct to host the primary ever playoff sport at Ford Subject in January.
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“It’s pretty exciting man, it really is,” quarterback Jared Goff informed NFL Community after the sport. “It’s been a lot of hard work. A long time coming. We have a special group man, we really do. This was hard-fought. It wasn’t pretty there at the end, but we got it done.”
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