Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson Is Happily Retired
Calvin Johnson is not coming back to play for the Detroit Lions, but he does seem to be enjoying his retirement.
It has been a busy summer for recently-retired former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson. The NFL’s single-season receiving record holder got married on June 4 to Brittany McNorton and now likely has a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed bathroom.
Johnson also posted a picture on Instagram of himself and First Lady Michelle Obama at a signing day for high school seniors in April and he reportedly plans on returning to Georgia Tech to finish his degree.
Johnson spoke publicly for the first time publicly about his retirement on Saturday following his foundation’s Catching Dreams Football Camp at L’Anse Cruese High School in Harrison Township, Mich. and immediately put to rest any ideas about a comeback. “I ain’t coming back,” he said smiling, “you ain’t got to worry about it.”
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Johnson attributed his decision to his health. He underwent included finger and knee surgeries in 2014 and still wears a splint on his right ring finger. “Your body can only do so much,” he said. “It was just body. I was just tired of it, fed up. Just had enough.” He also says he is content with his decision. “After you play that long, you’re going to be beat up, it’s just a time when you’re content with what you did and I’m content with what I did so far,” he said.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported on Saturday that Johnson “knew before the season that 2015 was his last.” Johnson also said that if he ever did return he would play for the Lions, which probably says more about the absence of animosity between Johnson and the team than about him donning Honolulu blue again.
Johnson plans on being active in both Detroit and Atlanta, where he plans to live permanently. His foundation, the Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation, offers scholarships, hosts football camps and provides mentorships for at-risk youth and gifts for children in need.
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Johnson surprised some when he uncharacteristically posted a series of tweets regarding the Orlando shooting on June 12. On Saturday, Johnson talked about his tweets, saying, “I just felt the need to vent because gun control, it’s not in control, put it like that…”