NFL: Calvin Johnson retiring

[cmjh10]

Wow

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14686284/calvin-johnson-told-detroit-lions-plans-retire

 

[isulive2train]

Keep your health. Smart move.

 

[Hoiball92]

This is becoming more common

 

[BikeSkiClone]

Good for him. Take the millions he's earned, let his body heal, enjoy the easy life for the next 50 years.

 

[CyCrazy]

Not surprising, get paid and get out.

 

[Clonehomer]

I'm guessing that if he were a free agent he may have shopped around for a contender. But since he's with the Lions, there's really no point to go through the abuse other than the money. And I doubt he needs the money that bad.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Reminds me of Keyshawn Johnson. Top tier recruit getting out at a young age for their health.

 

[awd4cy]

Good for him. Take the millions he's earned, let his body heal, enjoy the easy life for the next 50 years.

50 years if he's lucky. I say good for him as well though. Enjoy your life and let yourself heal.

 

[Bret44]

First Barry Sanders and not Megatron.

Detroit, the city where Superstars career's go do die.

 

[3TrueFans]

How many careers must the Detroit Lions ruin before something is done?

 

[awd4cy]

If Calvin really wanted out of Detroit he could have gotten out.

 

[CyArob]

He peaked, got paid, and got out. Good for him.

 

[Freebird]

Another great talent wasted in Detroit. Good for him.

 

[JP4CY]

He retired from the NFL but he is a really bright, good guy. I would be shocked if he doesn't do something for the greater good.
True talent that didn't complain and make negative headlines. That's a rarity anymore.

 

[Cy$]

He should have tried getting dealt to the Panthers

 

[Cloned]

Wonder if someone has or will ask him if fear of CTE impacted his decision.

 

[Shawker]

I'm a big fan of him and Fitzgerald. Both of them had many reasons to complain and go public with their grievances, but they kept their mouths shut and kept working hard. In this day and age of diva wide receivers their presence was appreciated.

 

[AMarner32]

Echoing what everyone else has said; good for him. Detroit is a dumpster fire almost every year. He gave them everything he had for nine years, it's not his fault they were never any good.

 

[CyCrazy]

I'm a big fan of him and Fitzgerald. Both of them had many reasons to complain and go public with their grievances, but they kept their mouths shut and kept working hard. In this day and age of diva wide receivers their presence was appreciated.

What grievances might they have? Made millions?

 

[jdoggivjc]

If Calvin really wanted out of Detroit he could have gotten out.

So could have Barry Sanders.

In one way it sucks because he's still a great receiver that could have either contributed to the Lions, or if he wanted out the Lions could have gotten maybe a 3rd rounder for.

In the other way, it's good because that's a lot of cap space that just opened up for the Lions to go after free agents. Question now is what will Stafford be worth on the open market. Rumor is the Texans are so desperate for a franchise QB that they will likely be overpaying for that type of QB - as in multiple 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounders over several years. Then it sounds like Jerry Jones is also interested in Stafford. Potential bidding war. Considering the Lions' new GM and another front office guy just came over from the Patriots, and the Patriots' way is to get as many draft picks as possible, Stafford may be gone as well.

The real question is, considering Martha Ford has already been on the record as saying she "really likes Jim Caldwell", and Quinn (the new Lions' GM) seemingly unquestioningly brought Caldwell back, has the Ford family already neutered Quinn? The Fords have been doing things "their way" since 1963. "Their way" has netted exactly 0 NFL Championships/Super Bowls since 1957.