Nicknamed "Megatron" after the Transformers character of the same name, he is regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time.[1]. CBSSPORTS.COM; 247SPORTS; MAXPREPS; FOLLOW MAXPREPS. [108] Schwartz ultimately revamped the entire Detroit offensive (and defensive) philosophieshiring Scott Linehan and Gunther Cunningham, respectively. College: Georgia Tech. Calvin Johnson Jr., (born September 29, 1985) is an American former football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons with the Detroit Lions. Before I end, I'd like to tell you, you know, I never was one to celebrate. As a quarterback, he led the team to a 26-3 record, including a 14-1 record and that state championship his senior year. [29], Johnson was named a team captain going into his junior season. Two-time All-State. Not really hard, but I just want you to know I valued every moment I spent with you, on the field, in the locker room and with our families. Fast forward to 2012: Megatron broke Jerry Rice's single-season record of 1,848 receiving yards, and finished the season with 1,964 yards (approx. [185] This was his fourth NFC Offensive Player of the Week nomination for his effort against the Bears. [3], Johnson attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played for head coach Chan Gailey's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team from 2004 to 2006. [156] In Week 10 against the Chicago Bears, Johnson had six receptions for 83 yards and two touchdown receptions. Without you, I wouldn't have made it again. [45], During the summer of 2006, Johnson, who majored in management with a background in building construction, was given the option of working on either constructing environmentally friendly luxury condos, or a project building solar latrines to improve sanitation in Bolivia. The way you helped me in my development of my emotional intelligence, oftentimes by just being a sounding board, that's reserved more than you know. [24] On September 24, against Virginia Tech, he had five receptions for 123 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 517 loss. Love you, babe. You loved me and my family unconditionally over these 15 years. [143] Johnson was also named a starter for the NFC in the Pro Bowl played in Honolulu, Hawaii. What a blessing, an honor and an inspiration it was to witness and to have you as our mother. High School French Camp Academy [68][69], Johnson attended Reebok's NFL Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles. In Week 15, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had ten receptions for 152 receiving yards in the 2320 victory. [126] Johnson finished the season with 96 receptions for a league-leading 1,681 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/01/06/nfl-los-angeles-rams-sean-mcvay-calvin-johnson-player-of-the-year-high-school/, Watch Sean McVay dominate as dual-threat QB in high school highlights, Rams 7-round mock draft: TE at No. As a junior, Johnson caught 40 passes for 736 yards and eight touchdowns. In these cases, the average was taken. . These relationships and friendships will last a lifetime. Every week you showed up. McVays now in one of the most unforgiving occupations in America, one where millions offer you a critique on your job performance week by week, hour by hour, play by play. [90] As the official starting wide receiver behind Roy Williams, Johnson led the team in receptions and yards, collecting seven catches for 107 yards, which included one 38-yard catch-and-run in the Lions' 3421 loss. It was so bad at the moment I couldn't feel my legs, and I thought my career would be over. Calvin Johnson had 11,619 receiving yards over his career. For me, that legacy is improving quality of life for athletes and others. [163] Johnson was ranked second by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014. There you go, bud. And even in those early days, Marists coaches could spot something different about this particular kid. In my first year in the NFL, I suffered a serious back injury. He had 731 catches for 11,619 yards and scored 84 touchdowns. CALVIN JOHNSON: I am trying to keep my emotions in check here, so y'all just got to chill out. I spent time thinking about my legacy and what I'll leave behind. He had a presence in that interview, and he had a presence on the field.. [61] Johnson is one of only two players (Matt Jones) 6-foot-5 or taller, regardless of position, to run a 40-yard dash in under 4.40 seconds at the combine since 2005. These plants, primitive in nature, provide an alternative to their destructive counterparts, opioids. Calvin Johnson weighed 237 lbs (107 kg) when playing. It also motivated me to be someone who was focused on making a change on the issue. [183][184] In Week 6, Johnson caught six passes for 166 yards in an overtime 3734 victory over the Chicago Bears. But that season, what Sean did was amazing. [73] The Lions, being told by the league that Johnson would have to skip the minicamp to attend, rescheduled the camp to accommodate Johnson. [15] On October 16, against Duke, he had six receptions for 92 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 247 victory. He played college football at Georgia Tech, where he twice received first-team All-American honors, and was selected by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. Calvin Johnson Jr. (born September 29, 1985) is a former American football wide receiver. You were able to take our parents' best attributes and principles and turn them into a living example of success for all of us to follow. [3][11] His #81 was retired on October 22, 2010. [74] On August 3, 2007, Johnson signed a six-year deal with the Detroit Lions after holding out for eight days, and passed his physical in time to be on the field for the start of that morning's practice. He did it in high school, and he did it with that fake punt you know, the one that McVay called in the NFC championship down 13-0. Johnson has a tattoo of the crucifixion of Jesus on his left arm and a Christian cross on his right arm. I also want to take a moment to share about a few people who have been instrumental to shaping my journey. [82] Fellow teammate and wide receiver Roy Williams nicknamed Johnson "Megatron", due to his large hands being similar to that of the towering Decepticon. [3] By the time he was a junior, he was ranked as within the top 10 wide receivers and the top 100 players in the nation by almost every writer. [193] Since Johnson was drafted by the Lions with the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, no player had more receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and 100-yard games (46) than Johnson through the 2015 season. Why cant you see whats going on out there? On and on it went, a good 90 seconds. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. We had a great team around him, but Sean made it go.. [229], Johnson founded The Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation, Inc. in 2008. To my beautiful, lovely wife: You brought balance to our demanding worlds. [142] On December 22, against the Atlanta Falcons, Johnson broke Jerry Rice's single-season receiving yards record of 1,848 yards. I want you to know Michigan is our home, Detroit is our city and Lions fans are our pride. There are so many people living in our world with pain right now, and I want to speak to you for a moment. Thats what I see now on TV.. He appeared in six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2010 to 2015 and received three consecutive first-team All-Pro selections from 2011 to 2013. They lacked that necessary winning fire, and after one failed offensive series, McVay came to the sideline and sat down on the bench near the medical staff. [47][75][76] He was represented by agent James "Bus" Cook. Because moments, people and legacy matters. Check out Calvin Johnson's high school sports stats, including game updates while playing track & field and football at Fort Collins High School. Career Stats for WR Calvin Johnson The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. Really what that was is it was a reflection of the team success we had, and then we were able to have some good stats because we won the state championship.. Doing so changes your outlook and outcomes of situations when you look at things from this perspective. [22] In the next game, he had six receptions for 114 receiving yards in a 2721 victory over North Carolina. [123] He joined Cloyce Box as the only players in franchise history to record at least 200 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the same game. Calvin Johnson Career Stats | StatMuse Calvin Johnson 6'5", 237 lbs Detroit Lions WR Career Stats Game Log Splits Wide receiver Calvin Johnson played 9 seasons for the Lions. ____ Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. (College Stats), Weighted Career AV (100-95-): 78 (458th overall since 1960). It gave me more empathy and understanding for those who suffer and deal with pain on a daily basis. But going into that second year, despite dealing with the pain and the back injury, I made up my mind that I was going to be the best, most dominant receiver in the NFL every time I stepped onto the football field. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Confident. Matt Millen, the team's incumbent general manager and CEO since 2001, was terminated on September 24, 2008. It gives me great joy to call all of your friends. . He needed the medication to help him play with a bone bruise in his back. He went in for a go-ahead touchdown. (FullList), PFR HOF Monitor: 84.19 (27th among WR, average HOF WR is 103.63). [85] Johnson finished the 2007 season with 48 receptions for 756 yards and five total touchdowns. [12], Johnson was rated among the nation's top 10 wide receivers and top 100 players by virtually every recruiting analyst. [92] Despite the Lions' failures and the fact that five different quarterbacks played during the year, Johnson finished as one of the strongest wide receivers statistically for the 2008 season, finishing fifth in receiving yards (1,331) and 7th in receiving yards per game (83.2), and leading the league in receiving touchdowns (12), despite the fact that the entire Lions team only passed for 18 touchdowns. [222], 1 Score given by guest judge Pitbull.2 Score given by guest judge Idina Menzel, In February 2019, Johnson and his wife Brittney were granted preliminary approval to open a medical cannabis dispensary in Michigan. But no matter how much I dominated, as the Legends here know, the pain never left. 37 in the nation by Rivals.com, the No. About three or four hours before game time, hed get this look in his eye, Ashkouti recalls. [178], Much like Week 1 in Chicago five years back, in Week 4 at Seattle, Johnson was involved in another controversial play. Joins Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Board of Directors", "Megatron partners in marijuana-for-CTE research", "Calvin Johnson uses Hall of Fame speech to advocate for pain treatment alternatives in sports", "Lions Calvin Johnson builds solid foundation", "Catching Dreams continues charitable focus for Calvin Johnson Jr. Fayette County News", "Calvin Johnson gets engaged in Baltimore", "Ex-Lions WR Calvin Johnson is getting married Saturday", "Former Lions wideout Calvin Johnson reveals wife is expecting", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Calvin_Johnson&oldid=1139287468, Most consecutive 100-yard receiving games: 8. [97] With Williams gone and starting quarterback Jon Kitna lost to injury for the season, the Texans defense had little to do to stop the Lions' offense but shut down Johnson, winning the game 2821. [81] He scored his first and only professional rushing touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 21, 2007, on a 32-yard reverse play in the 2316 victory. [34][35] In the game, he passed Jonathan Smith for the school record for receiving yards in a single season and also moved past Kelly Campbell to be the school's all-time leader in receiving yards for a career. McVays on-field heroics ended with that state championship. A natural athlete, McVay took to football instantly, starting first as a shutdown cornerback and later at quarterback. But what most don't know is the road to recovery from that back injury that year and the physical and mental pain that I played through well into my career. Thank you. [62][63], Johnson was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round as the second pick overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He has stated this is because the Lions forced him to repay $1.6 million of his signing bonus for retiring early and not playing out his contract. But I dont think anybody would have sat up there and said, We think Sean is a better player than Calvin Johnson, McVay said. [189] Johnson was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth consecutive year, but he declined to attend. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. But it was my second year when that Megatron mindset was born. I love you. The NFL later admitted the referees should have penalized Wright for illegal batting. He was the first player in school history with 1,000 yards rushing and passing in consecutive years, leading Marist to a 14-1 record and a state title in 2003. McVay insisted he could make it work, and Chadwick and Etheridge didnt have better answers. [232], Johnson became engaged to long-time girlfriend Brittney McNorton in March 2015. [60], Johnson surprised many when he weighed in at 239 pounds at the combine although he claims that this season he played "at about 235 and I got up to 238" and that his weight was not a problem. [92] In the following two games, losses to San Francisco and Chicago, Johnson failed to score a touchdown or gain over 50 yards receiving. [150][151] In the following game, against the Washington Redskins, he had seven receptions for 115 receiving yards and a touchdown in the 2720 victory. And I remember thinking, Thats it, its over. And I looked over at Sean, and he had this look in his eye like, Its not ending here. . McVay has a chance to add to his trophy case this season. Or write about sports? [174] He finished the 2014 season with 71 receptions for 1,044 receiving yards and receiving eight touchdowns. On the snap, the two running backs fired off to the right the Wham one of them reaching to take the handoff right in the stomach from McVay. Draft: Detroit Lions in the 1st round (2nd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. [101] During the Week 14 match-up against the division rival Minnesota Vikings, Johnson passed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career after collecting three catches for 84 yards and one touchdown, ending the week with 1,055 yards receiving and nine touchdowns on the season. Thank you. [28] He led the team with 54 catches for 888 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. Your motto was my offseason mantra: Stay ready so you don't have to get ready. In 2012, he set the NFL season record for receiving yards. [30][31] He started the season with seven receptions for 111 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 1410 loss to Notre Dame. [103] Johnson became the first Lion to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns since Terry Barr in 1963. In the game, Johnson caught 12 passes for 211 receiving yards and two touchdownsbreaking Detroit's playoff record of 150 receiving yards in a playoff game previously held by Brett Perriman and Leonard Thompson. But my life's legacy is still being written. [109] Detroit held the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and selected quarterback Matthew Stafford out of the University of Georgia. Her spirit leads her, her drive pushes her to be the best at everything she touches. Finally, he was tabbed to the AJC's preseason Super 11. [95], On October 14, before the Week 6 trade deadline, Roy Williams was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a first, a third and a seventh-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, making Johnson the Lions' starting wide receiver and the last big threat on the offense. [38][39][40] Johnson's 15 receiving touchdowns were a new Georgia Tech single-season record. Join our linker program. [187] In Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL International Series on November 1, Johnson became the fastest player to reach 11,000 receiving yards in NFL history, in his 127th game. The team was playing a far-inferior opponent We were at least four touchdowns better than them, Chadwick recalls but the War Eagles werent putting in a dominant effort. [179][180][181][182] In Week 5, a 4217 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Johnson caught his 671st career pass, breaking Herman Moore's franchise record. Johnson was noted for having a rare combination of size (6ft 5 in and 239lbs), catching ability, speed (40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds), strength, leaping ability,[2][3] and body control. It's truly an honor to be standing before you this evening celebrating this incredible moment. 19 and 1 mos. [233] They were married in June 2016. Rams' head coach Sean McVay won the 2003 Georgia High School Player of the Year Award, while playing quarterback for Marist High School. [16] On November 13, against Connecticut, he had six receptions for 131 receiving yards in the 3010 victory. [230] The foundation's goals include dedication to education, training, and social development of at-risk youth and providing financial aide to various community organizations. [188] Johnson finished the season with 88 receptions for 1,214 yards (13.8 average), and nine touchdowns, reaching 1,000-yards receiving for the sixth consecutive year, and seventh time in nine years. [27] He also earned All-ACC honors for the second straight year and was a semifinalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award. The two friends joined forces to take down the Shaw player and utterly failed. Sean and I were just laying there on the field. His highlight reels are so much fun to watch, given his speed and quickness at the position. But I was OK with this because I left it all on the field and enjoyed every moment. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. 18 and 6 mos. He had a few scholarship offers to . High School: Sandy Creek (GA), Drafted: 1st round (2nd player overall) in 2007 by Detroit. Website design & development by americaneagle.com copyright 2021 Pro Football hall of fame all rights reserved, Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic. [24] Johnson was honored as the ACC Player of the Year, was a first-team All-ACC selection for the third consecutive year, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? [175] Johnson and Golden Tate became the Lions' first duo to reach 1,000 yards apiece in the same season since Roy Williams and Mike Furrey in 2006. Calvin Johnson was elected into the Hall of Fame as a Player in 2021. This time, late in the fourth quarter, Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor punched the ball out of Johnson's hands while he was trying to score a late go-ahead touchdown. Chadwick believes McVay has the mindset to handle that blast furnace, and he uses another example from the Marist sideline to illustrate his point. Do you have a blog? [110] Stafford was named the team's starting quarterback out of training camp, but he battled various injuries throughout the season. He was a coach on the field. Sean McVay once beat Calvin Johnson for high school Player of the Year Schedule Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts. And this right here, this is a good thing. Calvin Johnson has never won a Super Bowl. [3], Johnson was also rated as the best player in Georgia, No. It was such a sequence of events where I saw her faith in action. That was ridiculous, McVay told the Los Angeles Times. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. 36, Round 4 trade-up, Rams grade out poorly in NFLPA's player-survey report card, 10 cornerbacks for Rams to watch at NFL combine, Peter King shares what he thinks the Rams could get for Jalen Ramsey, Rams are in a tough spot with Allen Robinson heading into 2023, Rams 2023 Draft Prospect Profile: Hendon Hooker (QB, Tennessee), 5 safeties for Rams to watch at NFL combine, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Johnson was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s. You couldnt shake him.. [88] Johnson revealed that he needed Vicodin to play through the final three months of the 2007 season. [129] The Lions finished with a 106 record, finished second in the NFC North, and earned a playoff berth. Right out of college, he took a job with Jon Gruden in Tampa, worked his way through the Redskins organization, then in a surprise to absolutely no one who knew him way back when became the youngest head coach in NFL history when he snared a job with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017. He ended the game with six receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns. From College Park to Tyrone, from Atlanta to Detroit, I want you to know that I know who you are, I know what you've done and I know how you've impacted me. [152] In Week 7, against the Cincinnati Bengals, he had nine receptions for 155 yards and two receiving touchdowns. [136] In Week 3, against the Tennessee Titans, he had 10 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown in the 4441 loss. [23] The game featured Georgia Tech having two 100-yard receivers in the same game for the sixth time in school history, Johnson and Damarius Bilbo, who had 131. [24] He entered his 2006 season in the running for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy. Calvin Johnson High School Junior Stats: 40 receptions, 736 yards, 8 touchdowns. View Calvin Johnson's career, season and game-by-game football stats while attending Egg Harbor Township High School. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Stats Gamelogs Splits Transactions 100-Yard Receiving. [112], In the season opener against the Chicago Bears, Johnson caught a pass with 31 seconds left in regulation in the end zone for what looked like a game-winning touchdown. Bus Cook, my agent: Put your phone down. Both touchdown catches included a run after the catch (the first catch going for 38 yards and the second going for 47 yards, both over the middle) displaying Johnson's speed and breakaway ability. Draft: Selected by the Detroit Lions in the 1st round (2nd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. Height: 6-5 Weight: 236. [21], Johnson started the 2005 season with four receptions for 66 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in a 2314 victory over Auburn. 2 Pick", "Lions Go On Offense With WR Johnson, QB Stanton", "Top 10 Draft Surprises: The Lions don't trade Calvin Johnson", "Lions' draft pick wide receiver Calvin Johnson on team cam", "Calvin Johnson to throw first pitch at Tigers game", "Calvin Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile", "2007 Draft Scout Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile", "Calvin Johnson, Combine Results, WR - Georgia Tech", "Dungy concerned about rookies missing minicamp", "Lions Move Minicamp So Calvin Johnson Can Participate", "Johnson takes it all in stride in Lions debut", "Lion Calvin Johnson focuses on the game, rookie of the year, not the hype", "Lions check themselves after blowout loss in Philadelphia", "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions - October 21st, 2007", "Calvin Johnson shows why Lions made him No.