Calvin Johnson’s Retirement is devastating for fans

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Near the end of the season there have been hints dropped, but nothing fully proving the thing all of Detroit should be fearing. On March 8th, Calvin announced what we all feared

At the end of a disappointing 7-9 season, Calvin Johnson, the Detroit Lions star receiver, hinted at retirement. Arguably the greatest receiver of all time may retire, when the Lions seem to be just a few key players away from a playoff run.

After having a stellar combine, and running a 4.35 40, at 6’5”, Calvin came into the league being drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech. As a receiver being taken with the No. 2 pick, he hasn’t disappointed.

Calvin Johnson, or Megatron, has played 9-season for the Lions, and all of them have been above average seasons. Amassing over 11,000 yards in just 9 seasons is great for a receiver who is injured, and misses games often.

Calvin is able to command a double team from most team. Philadelphia didn’t when they played in Detroit on Thanksgiving, and Megatron went off for 3 TD’s. He can physically and mentally beat you.

In his 9 seasons, Calvin has had 7 1000-yard seasons, and is on a streak of 6 right now. If Calvin is to truly retire, he will have the best stats of any receiver to play in his last season.

Jaylen Rock, a junior at Milford, says he is too big of a playmaker for the team not to have. He can help the team so much with just his athletic ability alone.

Since entering the league in 2007, he leads the league in receiving yards and touchdowns. Through the first 9 seasons in the NFL he has the 3rd-most yards in NFL history, trailing only Torry Holt and Jerry Rice.

Kyle Thompson, a Milford Senior, said “If he were to retire right now, he is the 2nd best receiver of all-time”

With all of this accolades listed, there is no doubt that he is an elite receiver in today’s passing style NFL. So, he is deservedly paid like that. With a $24-million hit against the Lions cap. If he does retire, the Lions will pay him $13-million, saving them $11-million.

You could say that it is in their best interest if he retires so they can save money, but why not pay the  extra money and have arguably the greatest receiver today. Even if he doesn’t catch the ball on every play, he still distracts defenses, and gives defensive coordinators nightmares.

With nagging injuries his entire career it is somewhat clear to people why he is retiring. Although he has had injuries, they are comparing his retirement to that of another Lions great, Barry Sanders. Sanders retired after his 10th season, and like Calvin, had plenty of chances of breaking all-time records.

Calvin has had plenty of crazy games and catches. A specific one that comes to mind, would be the Saturday night football game against the Falcons in 2012. Over 150 yards from the record, the Lions kept force feeding it to Megatron. Atlanta had no defense to stop him from breaking the single season receiving record.

Calvin’s retirement will hurt the Lions in multiple ways. Even without the best receiver, they’re still paying him. To have to pay someone who won’t be there to help others, or even be on the field, is not even worth it.

While there are some advantages to Calvin retiring, the advantages are not worth it due to the impact he has on and off the field. With a lack of receivers for the Lions, they can use all the help they can get.
Calvin is too important of a player to just not be a part of the team anymore, and this yer will show that.