Sitting on his father's couch, Johnson, who was just 29 years old at the time, laid out the reasons why he felt that it was time to walk away from the game. Calvin Johnson finally shed some more light on his decision to retire in 2016. Johnson could have easily ended his career with over $200 million if he continued playing. "It happened so fast," Johnson said of his career. Calvin and Hobbes, the comic strip he created in 1985 about a mischievous 6-year-old boy and his toy … We just didn't have the winning culture though. il y a 4 ans | 0 vue. Johnson said he could no longer take the daily grind of playing in the NFL. He made friends with veteran players who would point out big problems to him. NFL Media's Albert Breer has the latest on wide receiver Calvin Johnson's decision to retire from the NFL after nine seasons. While to some that may seem ridiculous, but for Johnson, it was the lesser of two evils. Soon the losing streak that the Lions were notorious for became very evident to Johnson. So what happens next to the Lions salary cap? Calvin Johnson, 30, a former star wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, has opened up about why he chose to walk away from the National Football League. The Lions are hopeful that he may change his mind, but Schefter rep… The Lions issued a statement Sunday but did not acknowledge any of the details of the report. Banged up and bummed out about the Lions’ futility, Calvin Johnson retired three years ago, while still in his prime. Why did Calvin Johnson retire? Or maybe there was a ball that I could have, should have, caught. Calvin Johnson won't be making any music on the field in Motown anymore. Johnson remembers as a young boy being greatly inspired by the lunar landing in 1969, it marked the first time he had ever deeply considered his future and the great endeavors he would someday play a role in. His career in Detroit will always be remembered. My body is aching. My body is aching. Johnson has had a tumultuous relationship with the team after the Lions forced him to pay back a portion of his signing bonus from the eight-year extension he signed in 2012. So why did he retire? "That's the reason for the rift between the team and I," Johnson said. Johnson said that, had he had the option to play for a contender, he may have continued playing beyond the 2015 season. But just like Barry Sanders did nearly two decades ago, Calvin Johnson is walking away from the NFL and the Detroit Lions on his own terms. That's what Bill Watterson did a decade ago. Follow @iDreamzMedia . And all anybody can do is point at themselves and say, 'What could I have done better?' Why more NFL players will retire early like Calvin Johnson. NFL Media's Albert Breer has the latest on wide receiver Calvin Johnson's decision to retire … Long before he retired in March, Calvin Johnson knew 2015 would be his last season in the NFL. Rumble fell out of love with the sport that nearly killed his kidneys. Johnson’s decision to retire is reminiscent of fellow Lions legend Barry Sanders. But, they wouldn’t let him out of the contract. Speaking at his football camp in Michigan on Saturday, per Michael Rothstein of … ... didn't need to agonize over precedent the way Barry Sanders did when he retired at age 30 in 1999. Calvin Johnson retired from the NFL on March 8, 2016, because of the poor working environment with the Detroit Lions. Calvin Johnson is easily one of the biggest what-ifs in the NFL over the past decade. Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has retired from all forms of international cricket. Calvin Johnson says that Shawn Jefferson was hands down the best receivers coach he had seen in the league. There's a lot more than goes into it than having those key players.". It seems that longtime superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson is going to retire. A post shared by Calvin Johnson Jr. (@megatron) After a 7-9 campaign in 2015 that saw Detroit miss its seventh postseason in nine years, Johnson decided to retire during the offseason . Covering the impact of coronavirus on the sports world. Those teams clinched playoff berths before suffering first-round exists. Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team, was actually planning on calling it a career after the 2014 season. However, Johnson was green and he had hope. Suivre. When Calvin Johnson announced his … He asked for them to release him from his contract, which had been signed in 2012 for eight years, but his request was denied by the team. You can watch Calvin Johnson’s full ‘All the Smoke’ podcast interview with Showtime Basketball in the below video. Since he came into the league with the Lions in 2007, Johnson wasted little time putting up great plays and amazing statistics. Johnson, who retired at age 30, joined Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders as Lions icons who walked away from the game still in their prime. Scroll down to read more about why Calvin Johnson found the Detroit Lions’ working environment toxic, his declining health, and what happened when he retired. "I was like, 'Man, dad, I'm done. The six-time Pro Bowler was in the midst of a historic run of six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2010 to 2015. All Rights Reserved. Johnson, who spent his entire nine-year career with the Detroit Lions, went to Georgia that offseason to share his plans with his father. I’ll explain the … "I said, 'Hey, I wish I could.'". Analysts explain why Detroit Lions wideout Calvin Johnson may need to wait for his call to the Hall of Fame. When six-time Pro Bowler Calvin Johnson retired from the NFL last spring, he cited his health as the primary reason. The Detroit Lions announced that the wide receiver will retire on Tuesday after playing nine seasons with the team. Go to main menu. Barry Sanders, who is considered to be one of the greatest running backs of all time, left the game of football at the age of 30 and after ten seasons in the NFL. Suivre. Johnson recalled. Mentally, Johnson could continue to push himself, but his body slowly began to wear out. "I sat there and paused for a second, and once I paused for a second he was like, 'Alright, you can at least do it one more time.'". Calvin Johnson retired from the NFL on March 8, 2016, because of the poor working environment with the Detroit Lions. Like … He broke a lot of these issues down in a 2019 interview with Sports Illustrated. Johnson decided to retire after just nine seasons, and that was mainly due to two reasons: His body was beat up and he was fed up with the Lions. In 2020, he elaborated on his early retirement when he appeared on the podcast ‘All the Smoke.’, In the podcast interview, Johnson recalled telling his father “They’re blowing up the team. Why Calvin Johnson Wants To Retire. They would give up a first round draft pick and receive Calvin Johnson in return. He left the show in 1996 after he got back in the game to coach the Miami Dolphins in 1996, and then finally returned to TV in 2002. Report: Raiders to release WR Tyrell Williams, Arians: Tom Brady to undergo minor knee surgery, Brady promised Godwin Super Bowl win after jersey trade, Could Russ be traded? Calvin Johnson might still have gas left in the tank, but he's putting his NFL career in park for good. He worked with his position coach, Shawn Jefferson, who helped him to break the single-season receiving yards record in 2012. He was left with two choices: keep playing or retire. With that, Johnson returned for what would the final season of a career that will almost surely end up being on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Johnson is eligible for the first time in 2021). Lions all-time leading receiver Johnson retires (1:52) ESPN Lions reporter Michael Rothstein examines six-time Pro Bowler Calvin Johnson's legacy. If you’ve ever worked a job where things just never seemed to go right, you can definitely relate to Calvin Johnson’s frustration as an employee of the Detroit Lions. While Johnson was still young, he was unable to see the flaws within the organization, however, as he learned more about the workings of NFL teams he started to see issues. When Calvin Johnson announced his retirement earlier this offseason, he kept his reasoning a secret. Here is more on why the Indianapolis quarterback decided to retire at age 29. In a new interview Johnson talks about hanging up his gloves. Like Sanders, the lack of team success contributed to Johnson's decision to walk away when he did. "You can't help but have the feeling like we obviously didn't maximize the talent that we had. il y a 4 ans | 0 vue. After announcing his retirement, Calvin Johnson did an E:60 Profile with ESPN where he said he was no longer able to give 100 percent because of his injuries. He retired as the franchise all-time leader with 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. The Detroit Lions might be forced to move on without one of the franchise's all-time greats. I can’t get out, I can’t dig like I used to. Calvin Johnson was made to pay back at least $1 million of the $16 million he received as a signing bonus for that eight-year contract. However, he retired from the league during his prime playing years, so what happened? 9:06 am ET, Week 10 Betting Preview: Washington Football Team at Lions, the Lions forced him to pay back a portion of his signing bonus, Stafford pledges $1M parting gift to Detroit, Unofficial NFL combine to take place in late February. He had played nine seasons all with the Detroit Lions. Rumble Johnson also talks about the medical marijuana business and really getting into the world of bodybuilding. like January 2, 2018 11:00 am. Detroit Lions legend Calvin Johnson has finally opened up on his shocking decision to retire from the NFL. "It was unfortunate," Johnson said. 12, Marshall: Wilson 'beyond frustrated' with Seahawks. Calvin Johnson wanted to form an NFL super-team but couldn't leave the Lions — so he chose retirement over the 'insanity' Sam Belden. Did Calvin Johnson really retire, or did he just get tired of playing for the Lions? The Lions forced Johnson to pay back a significant amount (he estimates it at $1.6 million) of the $16 million signing bonus he collected when he re-signed with the team in 2012. 2017-07 … Calvin Johnson, who played all of his nine years in the NFL for the Detriot Lions, walked away from the game of football just like another former Lions' superstar did. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at When Jefferson’s contract was up in the off-season of 2012, head coach Jim Schwartz wouldn’t renew it. Kitna was right because the team went 0-16 that season. That's just the principle of how I've been living.". There's one clear spot, Bucs' White makes good on Super Bowl promise, Ravens star OT eyes trade, multiple teams interested, Brady promised Godwin Super Bowl win for No. I could have had, maybe, 2,000 yards or 1,500 yards one year, and that could have helped. Why is Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson retiring in his prime?. Calvin Johnson says he retired because he's 'fed up' with football. Johnson was actually a part of Fox NFL Sunday since it began in 1994 after he left the Cowboys and Barry Switzer took his place. "Whenever we played Green Bay, whenever Aaron Rodgers was over on our sideline, he would say, 'Hey man, you need to come on over here,'" Johnson recalled. While his relationship with his former team could be better, Johnson, now 35, appears to be a man at peace with his career. Johnson retired early because of his issues with the Lions and the NFL Former Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson retired after the 2015 season. The Lions were likely going to have to make a difficult decision anyway on Johnson this year due to a $24 million cap charge but he may have made it easier on them by walking away. Calvin Johnson Lions Statistics . "I had to pay some money back. I just don’t have the love for it because I was just always hurting.”. | Hunter Martin/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images Calvin Johnson retired at 30 years old after the 2015 season. Mitchell Johnson took 37 wickets at 13.97 in Australia's 5-0 Ashes whitewash in 2013-14. Calvin Johnson was one of the NFL’s top receivers throughout his nine seasons and made sure to cash in on that fact. Calvin Johnson is arguably the best wide receiver the NFL has ever seen. “I know everybody wants to know why I retired, but it’s more so, I put a lot into the game and it’s taken a lot out of me and that’s where I’m at right now. He asked for them to release him from his contract, which had been signed in 2012 for eight years, but his request was denied by the team. Hey guys! He saw the team’s General Manager throw away a first-round pick on a player that didn’t fit with their coaching strategy. Calvin Johnson has retired from the NFL, the Detroit Lions announced Tuesday, bringing an early end to the career of the league's single-season receiving yards king. On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that wide receiver Calvin Johnson plans on retiring. During his final season, the man known during his playing days as Megatron was selected to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl after catching 88 passes for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns. On top of all of these problems, Calvin Johnson felt like his health was deteriorating. Johnson, who led the NFL in receiving twice, amassed an NFL single season record 1,964 receiving yards in 2012. During his tenure, Johnson … They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. Here's why the New York Jets are the perfect fit. I just don't feel it. Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson knew exactly when it was time to hang up his cleats. Lions WR Calvin Johnson told coach Jim Caldwell that 2015 was his last season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday. I can't get out, I can't dig like I used to. He pointed out that the two areas that could have helped the team have more success in the league were never aligned; that was the coaching staff and the head office. Sanders walked away from the game after 10 NFL seasons by faxing an announcement to … "When you just try to live in the moment, time flies. It doesn't work like that.". Detroit Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson has told the team that he plans to retire, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday. Former All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson could be coaxed out of retirement for the right opportunity. Jaworski reveals Colts' offer for Carson Wentz? First of all let me just say it's not confirmed yet. Calvin Johnson Jr. retired from the NFL in the most Calvin Johnson way possible: by saying nothing for so long that people seemed to forget about him, and then by saying very little. Fans of the Detroit Lions received some very bad news recently. Johnson's father, using just a few words, convinced his son to delay retirement for a little bit longer. section: | slug: calvin-johnson-opens-up-about-his-early-retirement-aaron-rodgers-recruitment-pitch-ongoing-rift-with-lions | sport: football | route: article_single.us | Calvin Johnson decided to hang up his cleats at the age of 30 in March 2016. Sanders made it the post season five times, but only won one post season game. If he does retire, he will do so at 31 just like Sanders did. Andrew Luck was stuck in a cycle full of pain, and he needed to get out of it. Brady and Calvin will have one last shot at the Super Bowl! "Just the simple fact that we didn't maximize the talent. According to an ESPN report by Adam Schefter, Calvin Johnson has informed the Detroit Lions that he plans to retire rather than return for the 2016 season. It seems like nine seasons and 135 games in the NFL were enough for Johnson. I just don't have the love for it because I was just always hurting. Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during warm ups before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015. Did Calvin Johnson really retire, or did he just get tired of playing for the Lions? Calvin Johnson finally shed some more light on his decision to retire in 2016. A look back on Calvin Johnson’s record-tying five 200-yard games. I just don't have it.". NFL Official. As a matter of fact, Johnson actually did … "They're blowing up the team. Back to reality, where Johnson is very comfortable with his decision to retire from MMA. I just don’t feel it. Johnson decided to retire because he did not want to be a part of a team who continued to struggle, and health played a reason too. I can't do it no more,'" Johnson recalled during his recent appearance on the new episode of "All the Smoke'' with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson available to watch on Showtime Basketball YouTube. Calvin Johnson on why he doesn't miss football: 'I was in some sort of pain every day' Share this article share tweet text email link Nina Mandell. I don’t have my range of motion like I use to. Signaler. He has stated that this number is probably on the low end too. Johnson had wanted to leave the Lions to join a different team as he was fed up with how the team was managed. He told the Italian press on Tuesday that the Detroit Lions’ futility had a lot to do with it. You can't make me pay money back and then still want me to come around. In fact, Johnson said that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers often lobbied for him to swap his Lions blue for Packers green when the division foes played each other. Players are now looking for a way to get out of this game healthy so they can do something after their football days are done, and still enjoy their lives. © 2004-2021 CBS Interactive. 367.8k Followers, 99 Following, 190 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Calvin Johnson Jr. (@megatron) He joined the team in 2007 as their first draft pick and second pick overall. Johnson retired after the 2015 season with over $100 million to his name and, had he not called it quits early, could have easily kept earning significant paychecks. He had played nine seasons all with the Detroit Lions. Johnson informed family and select friends of the decision before the season, according to the report. But now he's decided to open up about why he … I just try to still be the best version of myself, and perfect any task that I'm focused on. Johnson, who retired at age 30, joined Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders as Lions icons who walked away from the game still in their prime. His career in Detroit will always be remembered. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Johnson, a father of two young children, said that he is keeping himself busy in retirement. NFL Official. Why did Calvin Johnson retire? You've got some beasts all around the team in key positions that you should be able to have a winning team. The reason I don't have any involvement with them is because of that. That season was just as fruitless as the eight seasons before. In the interview, Johnson highlighted that during his second year with the Lions, their quarterback Jon Kitna said that there was no way the team would win a single game with the current strategy in place. If Calvin Johnson, one of the greatest receiving talents the NFL has ever seen, wants to retire, he should — going out in his prime like another Detroit Lions star about two decades ago. Calvin Johnson told reporters in Italy last week that he didn't see a chance to win a Super Bowl with the Lions, which played a part in his decision to retire from the NFL last year. Johnson may become a part of a new trend of early retirement across the NFL. Johnson announced that he … According to an ESPN report by Adam Schefter, Calvin Johnson has informed the Detroit Lions that he plans to retire rather than return for the 2016 season.. He chose to retire and there were some repercussions for that decision. The Lions were likely going to have to make a difficult decision anyway on Johnson this year due to a $24 million cap charge but he may have made it easier on them by walking away. Calvin Johnson knew long before anyone else that the 2015 season was going to be his last. My name is … For … The man they call "Megatron" retires … "He looked at me and was like,' You think you can do it one more time?' He was only halfway through the contract he had signed with the Lions in 2012 which paid him $132 million for eight years. Are you also wondering how much money is Calvin A. Johnson Jr. - Calvin Johnson making on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram? Johnson’s father convinced him to do one more season before retiring from the game. If Calvin Johnson, one of the greatest receiving talents the NFL has ever seen, wants to retire, he should — going out in his prime like another Detroit Lions star about two decades ago. Calvin Johnson is looking to get married this spring and start a family. When Calvin Johnson announced that he would be retiring on March 8, 2016, many Detroit Lions fans were shocked. During his nine years in Detroit, Johnson, who was part of the Lions' 2008 team that went 0-16, played on just two winning teams. The report released was Calvin saying to Caldwell that he will retire before he announced he was thinking about retirement. He told the Italian press on Tuesday that the Detroit Lions’ futility had a lot to do with it. © 2020 Black Sands Media - All Rights Reserved. Born Kevin R. Johnson on October 9, 1960 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to his father, a physicist and mother, a nurse. You  got me on offense, you've got [Matt] Stafford, you got Ndamukong Suh on defense. I don't have my range of motion like I use to. Calvin Johnson on why he doesn't miss football: 'I was in some sort of pain every day' Share this article share tweet text email link Nina Mandell. To add insult to injury, Johnson has said that he is certain he had a serious concussion every season of his career.