Calvin Johnson Being Inducted To Pride Of The Lions
During his career, he was often the best player on the Detroit Lions roster. He was so dominant at his wide receiver position that he earned the nickname “Megatron”. And now the Detroit Lions have announced that Calvin Johnson is being inducted in to the Pride of the Lions. Pride of the Lions is a permanent display at Ford Field honoring the greatest players in franchise history. The ceremony will take place during halftime of their Homecoming game September 30, 2024 on Monday Night Football (Kickoff 8:15 PM ET) against the Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson was drafted by the Lions with the second overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. And he retired in March 2016 after having spent his entire nine year career with Detroit. Below are just a few highlights of his stellar career:
- Started in 130-of-135 games for the Lions over his nine-season career, posting 731 receptions for 11,619 yards (15.9 avg.) and 83 touchdowns.
- Detroit’s franchise leader in career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
- Was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021, becoming the seventh wide receiver in NFL history – and second player in Lions history – to be named a first-ballot inductee.
- Was selected to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Unfortunately for Johnson he was with the Lions when they were not very good. Hence he was a bright light in an otherwise dark world. So if he retired in 2016 why did it take so long to induct the second best player in Lions history to the Pride? (Come on Barry Sanders has to be number 1). Well as FanSided simply put it, he had issues with ownership.
Calvin Johnson Being Inducted To Pride Of The Lions
They go on to report that In March 2012, Johnson signed an eight-year extension for $132 million. That made him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. However, he retired in 2015, meaning he did not play out the entirety of his contract. Because of this, the Lions forced him to repay $1.6 million of his signing bonus, which definitely didn’t sit well with Johnson. But now since 2020 Sheila Ford Hamp has taken ownership of the team and it appears bridges have been mended.
She looks to be operating the team in a different manner than her parents did. And it shows because the Lions are winning and making amends with former players. So although it was a long time coming, it’s good to see Johnson finally being honored in this way.
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