NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson Says His Relationship With the Detroit Lions Is “Trending Up”
The Detroit Lions and Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson haven’t been on the same page for a long time. They may be regaining their motown rhythm, it seems.
After a sensational career that saw him rack up eye-popping numbers, Johnson teamed up with quarterback Matthew Stafford to form one of the NFL’s most dynamic duos. Nicknamed ‘Megatron’ He was known for his extraordinary physical abilities, which saw him racking up 731 catches, 11,619 yard and 83 touchdowns over nine seasons. He was a member of subpar teams but made it to the Pro Bowl six times.
Drafted with the second overall pick out of Georgia Tech in 2007, he played his entire career in Detroit before walking away from the game at age of 30 in 2016. He was known to have left the organization unhappy and with a bitter taste in his mouth.
That bitter flavor was fueled by the fact that the Lions recouped $1.6 million of Johnson’s signing bonus following his retirement. It would end up being the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Johnson and his team felt like they were taking revenge for him leaving.
According to reports, Johnson was offered $1.6 million by the Lions in exchange for his work over 28 years. Johnson accepted the proposal. Johnson would also be inducted into the Pride of the Lions in 2021. 81 were inducted into the Pride of the Lions.
To put it mildly… Calvin Johnson was NOT impressed with the offer.
“They need to figure out a way to do it and not have me work for it,” He stated that at the time. “Because I already did the work for it.”
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So, for several years, neither party was on the other’s good side. Johnson and the team seem to be getting closer, however, as the ice is beginning to melt in Michigan. The Detroit great has openly talked about his desire to get more involved with the team and its fans. Recent conversations with The New York PostCalvin Johnson, the president of the organization, stated that he and he are moving forward after the messy split.
“We’re trending up. We’re trying to come together and make something happen,” Johnson said. “Obviously I’d love to be around the team and do more things there and help the guys out. It’s good that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Calvin Johnson, who was selected 2nd in the 2007 draft from Georgia Tech, spent his entire NFL career here.
From there, he set records in receiving yards (731), receiving yards (10,619) and receiving touchdowns (83)
With Dan Campbell, Head Coach of the Lions, they have taken a lot more steps forward. The team finished at 9-8, just missing qualifying for the postseason. The franchise also made it a point of reaching out to former stars to try to heal some damaged relationships.
The bridge to their past was strengthened when Dre Bly, an ex-cornback, was hired to coach the same position in Detroit.
Johnson has been involved in the club’s affairs at times over the years. However, the Lions prefer Johnson to be more active as they attempt to bridge their past.
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