CALVIN JOHNSON… RETIREMENT ALREADY???

There was a point when Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions had more interest in earning a degree from Georgia Tech, and it still remains important to him regardless of his nine years in the NFL.  In fact, going back to get a degree may be one of the determining factors if Calvin retires from the NFL.  (http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21598/education-is-important-to-calvin-johnson-including-getting-his-degree)

In college, Johnson was one of the best wide receivers at Georgia Tech. In Johnson’s freshman year of college in 2004, he had 7 touchdowns, and over 850 yards with 48 catches.  He also received the All-Atlantic Conference rookie of the year awared.  While a sophomore, he had 54 catches totaling again above 850 yards. He also helped the team earn the First-Team All-American honors for the second year in a row. During Johnson’s Junior year in 2006, he was awarded as the College’s best wide receiver. That was also the year he decided to go into the NFL Draft.

Calvin Johnson was often compared to Randy Moss, ESPN said he had just as much potential and was going to be just as good.  It was only the second round in the draft that Johnson was picked up by the Detroit Lions. In fact the contract was completed right before the 8:30 am Monday practice, Johnson showed determination and promise during the many practices before his first games in the NFL. During his first season in 2007, despite his painful lower back injury which required drugs for pain management, he still managed 48 receptions and averaged over 15 yards per reception. (http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp07/news/story?id=2959620)

In 2010 Johnson was selected for the Pro Bowl, and he will be continuously for the next six seasons.  In 2011, 2012, and 2013, he was a leader in receiving yards, and the first two years he was an NFC leader in receiving yards. He only one of two players next to Antonio Brown to have over 5,000 receiving yards within a three year time span.  He also holds the record for the most receiving yards in a single season, 1,964 yards in 2012.

As for Calvin Johnson compared to Randy Moss, the numbers are very close. Keep in mind that Randy Moss was in the NFL from 1998 until 2012, so he was in the NFL for 14 years while Johnson has been in for 9.  Despite that fact, Johnson has surpassed Moss in more than one respect. The receiving yards per game for Moss was about 70.1 and averaged about 4.1 receptions per game. Johnson has 86.1 average yards per game, and about 5.4 receptions per game. Moss’s all time long is 82 yards, while Johnson’s all time long is 96 yards.  Because Moss has been in the NFL longer, he has 982 total receptions for 15,292 yards.  Johnson has 731 total receptions for a total of 11,619 yards. Those numbers are very close, and I do not think it would take very long for Johnson to surpass Moss, that would probably only take another season or two.  (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnCa00.htm) (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MossRa00.htm)

Currently Calvin Johnson is looking over retirement, and one of the biggest reasons is because he wants to go back to Georgia Tech to earn his degree.  In what? I have no idea, but he must have been really close to completing the degree because he left his junior year. He has been looking at the lives of retired NFL players who retired early, and really trying to consider his options.  Whatever he decides, it won’t change the fact that he has left his mark in the NFL.  He has many records, he is known for his height and ability to make amazing catches.  But probably most of all, he is known for his amazingly awesome nickname, Megatron! (http://www.businessinsider.com/calvin-johnson-may-retire-2016-1)