LDN - Sports

Lions' losing contributed to Johnson's retirement decision

[July 12, 2017] The Sports Xchange

Former Detroit Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson acknowledged that injuries were not the only reason for his retirement following the 2015 season.

Johnson noted Detroit's status as perennial also-rans, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"I didn't see a chance for them to win a Super Bowl at the time," Johnson said during a media conference last week to promote the Italian championship of American football. "For the work I was putting in, it wasn't worth my time, to keep on beating my head up against the wall and not go anywhere.

"It's the definition of insanity."

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, who finished his career as the franchise leader in a number of categories, Johnson said he contemplated the idea of playing for another team but didn't think that would fly with the Lions.

"I was stuck in my contract in Detroit," Johnson said. "And they told me they would not release my contract, so I would have to come back to them."

[to top of second column]

The 31-year-old Johnson, who told the newspaper in May that he was not interested in a return to the game, would not offer a prediction as to whether the Lions would ever win a Super Bowl. Detroit was 54-90 and made two playoff appearances in his nine seasons.

"At some point, they gotta make it," Johnson said. "I don't know when, but they gotta make it."

Johnson was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. He topped the 1,000-yard mark in receiving seven times, including each of his last six seasons.

In 135 regular-season games, Johnson amassed 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdown catches. That included setting an NFL record with 1,964 receiving yards in 2012 on a career-best 122 receptions.

-----------------------------------------------

Back to top