Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Reports from multiple sources have reported that Calvin Johnson WR Detriot has retired from the NFL

USA Today
Calvin Johnson reportedly told the @Lions he plans to retire: usat.ly/1SScgj7

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Detroit Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson told his family and a close circle of friends before last season that 2015 would be his final year in the NFL, and he delivered the same message to coach Jim Caldwell the day after the regular season ended, sources told ESPN.

Caldwell told Johnson not to rush his decision -- to take his time, sources told ESPN. Out of respect to Caldwell, Johnson agreed to do just that, according to sources.

The Lions have not given up hope that Johnson could change his mind, but one person who knows Johnson well said, "He's pretty content with his decision."

Calvin Johnson told Detroit Lions he plans to retire

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

So long Megatron, #sniff ... we hardly knew ya', :( . G.O.A.T.

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Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Hate to say he wasted all those years and stats.

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Very unfortunate, the Lions had the chance to build something formidable with him and challenge for a title.

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

GREAT player and team mate, probably a better dude off the field. Too bad the injury bug bit him in recent years.

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

I told a buddy of mine, by telling them now, he's letting them prepare for the off season, but, by not making an official announcement, he's not trying to make it all about him right before the SuperBowl. Class act. Can't stop rumors though.

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Great player, but the LIONS have a way of doing that to their players.

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Thought we would have to start a sucicide watch for you when I first read the news

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

He didn't waste 'em, the fricken' Lions front office did, :burn:.

As is their habit, been doin' it for decades, :(. That's what makes the Saints better then the Lions, they seized their opportunity and did something with it.

Dude, this guy is the epitome of a professional athlete. I've said it before, NFL rookies should have to go to "Calvin" school before entering the league. Off the field, he was pretty private, but you always saw him at the community events, et ... I would go to war with Calvin & that's about the highest compliment I can give any man, :).

Great point! The only thing I ever had against Barry Sanders was the way he retired the day before or the day of training camp, via voice mail/text or whatever. Calvin is one of the Greats, :).

Well, technically he's still thinking about it, but when it's official (not "if"), I probably will take a few days off to mourn, :(. If he goes to another team though, the "watch" is on, :lol:.

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Damn you
I have just agreed to take over a fantasy team were the previous owner spent big on him and Forte. Was goping to ship him for anything before this became public. Not impressed

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Calvin Johnson announces his retirement from the NFL, with quotes from Johnson http://on.freep.com/1p5eKOH via @freep

just got a notification on my phone, he's officially retired now

it feels odd now but I wouldn't be surprised that players in the future only play to get one maybe two huge contracts and then retire in their early 30s due to not wanting long the health problems when they get older

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Good for him, get out while you can still walk, :) ... we've been waiting on him to pull that trigger. Too bad he couldn't go out with a championship, but that's the way the Lions do their stars, #smh.

You da' man, Calvin, one of the greats ... a class act all the way. Thanks for the memories, :).

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Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Such a shame to retire in his prime.

The only time I can remember the Lions giving him a decent supporting cast was in 2011 when we met them in the wild card round.

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Are you still in your prime at 30 as an NFL WR? I don't know what the averages are. He was beat and some of the injuries he played through were pretty bad ... sad to see him go, but man, he would outline some of his injuries in interviews & you couldn't help but just wish the guy would make that decision.

When I think of what a "professional" athlete should be, Calvin's at the top of the list. He's one of those guys I feel fortunate to have been able to see, ie, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Tretiak, Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, Magic Johnson, Larry Byrd ... you get the idea, guys that'll go down in history as the best, :).

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

Not long ago it seemed like 30 wasn't very old for a WR. Guys like Rice, Tim Brown and Cris Carter had careers spanning parts of three decades and remained productive deep into their thirties. I'll never forget Jerry putting up a thousand yards at over 40 years old.

But as soon as that generation retired, the longevity of players at just about all positions fell off the map. Guys slow down fast, and it makes no sense with receivers, in particular, given all the wuss rules to protect them over the middle. Makes me wonder if the old guys were all on steroids, or if the new generation just doesn't know how to take care of themselves.

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

That older generation didn't know of the health risks that comes with a 10-15 year NFL career like the players today do. Soon long careers will be few and far between. Don't like it but it's coming

Re: Calvin Johnson Plans to Retire
 

I understand that they are more aware of health risks now, but I'm not just talking about choosing to retire earlier. Players are declining at a much faster rate. Guys like Curtis Martin, Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton took forever to show signs of any decline at the RB position. When Barry Sanders retired at 30, or whatever it was, it was shocking... He was still putting up around 1500 yards.

There are numerous examples like that, including the one's I gave in my previous post. Players just aren't holding up like they used to, and they have a LOT more rules protecting them. It's strange. I think the long careers have already become few and far between. QB's will always be able to play a long time, but that's about it. (I'm not counting kickers)