Calvin Johnson Retires, Hall of Fame Is His Next Stop

Calvin Johnson is walking away from the NFL. The Detroit Lions announced that the incredible wide receiver known as Megatron has hung up his cleats at just 30 years old.

After the Lions selected him with the second pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Johnson developed into arguably the best wideout in the NFL. He will retire as a six-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro (three First-team selections) and as the fastest player to ever reach 10,000 receiving yards.

Johnson holds numerous NFL records including most receiving yards in a single season (1,964), most consecutive games with at least 100 receiving yards (eight), and most seasons with 1,600 receiving yards (two, tied with Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt).

Johnson’s otherworldly athleticism set him apart from his peers. He truly was an incredible physical specimen. At 6-foot-5 and 239 pounds, Johnson ran a 4.35 40-yard dash before the draft. The Georgia Tech product also posted an 11-foot-7-inch broad jump, which is just ridiculous for a guy his size.

It is incredibly sad to see so many talented players retiring so young, and Johnson has immediately become the biggest name to step away from the game recently. In fact, he is the best player to walk away this young since fellow Lions star Barry Sanders did the same thing following the 1998 season.

Johnson finishes his career with 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns.

Despite retiring so young and after just nine NFL seasons, Johnson has to eventually make the Hall of Fame. He was one of the NFL’s best, most feared players for nearly a decade and that should make him a lock. Players retiring younger is a new reality in the NFL, and we need to adjust our expectations for career length as a result of the violence of the sport.

Johnson was a top player for nearly a decade and while some are iffy on his Hall of Fame candidacy, I don’t see how the institution can take itself seriously and not elect him.