It is rare to highlight a player from another team on a Packers fanpage…Megatron is one of those players (Barry Sanders is the only other Lions player I can think of). Announcing his retirement this week, Megatron changes the face of the Lions and, in turn, the face of the NFC North. While guys like Sam Shields breathe a sigh of relief, guys like Matthew Stafford have to wonder where a replacement…nay, a reasonable facsimile of such a great player will be found. We want to let PackerNation give its personal respects below.
Megatron, like Barry Sanders, was one of those guys that could hurt you and hurt you bad even when he seemed to be the only offensive player on the team. He was big, tall, and fast and he could catch the rock. Calvin Johnson made numerous Green Bay Packers defensive backs better for having to defend against him.
So here are the career receiving stats:
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RECEIVING
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| Year | Team | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | Yds/G | Lng | TD | 20+ | 40+ | 1st | FUM |
| 2015 | Detroit Lions | 16 | 88 | 1,214 | 13.8 | 75.9 | 57 | 9 | 16 | 3 | 65 | 1 |
| 2014 | Detroit Lions | 13 | 71 | 1,077 | 15.2 | 82.8 | 67T | 8 | 16 | 3 | 59 | 0 |
| 2013 | Detroit Lions | 14 | 84 | 1,492 | 17.8 | 106.6 | 87 | 12 | 22 | 5 | 69 | 1 |
| 2012 | Detroit Lions | 16 | 122 | 1,964 | 16.1 | 122.8 | 53 | 5 | 40 | 5 | 92 | 3 |
| 2011 | Detroit Lions | 16 | 96 | 1,681 | 17.5 | 105.1 | 73T | 16 | 32 | 10 | 77 | 1 |
| 2010 | Detroit Lions | 15 | 77 | 1,120 | 14.5 | 74.7 | 87T | 12 | 16 | 3 | 57 | 1 |
| 2009 | Detroit Lions | 14 | 67 | 984 | 14.7 | 70.3 | 75T | 5 | 15 | 4 | 46 | 3 |
| 2008 | Detroit Lions | 16 | 78 | 1,331 | 17.1 | 83.2 | 96T | 12 | 21 | 7 | 52 | 2 |
| 2007 | Detroit Lions | 15 | 48 | 756 | 15.8 | 50.4 | 49 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 38 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 135 | 731 | 11,619 | 15.9 | 86.1 | 96 | 83 | 190 | 41 | 555 | 13 | |
When you look at Calvin Johnson’s stats, several are worthy of mention as records:
- Most yards by a receiver without a playoff win (11,619)
- Since coming into the league in ’07, led the league in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and 100 yard games
- 86.1 yards per game is number one in NFL history for players with 100 games or more.
- Single season receiving yards – NFL record
- The only player in the Super Bowl era to average 120 yards per game (2012)
- 329 individual yards against the Cowboys in 2013 is second most in NFL history.
And off the field, Johnson was known by his teammates as a humble superstar (rare). Johnson did most of his
talking on the field and while it didn’t make Packers fans happy, it is hard to argue with a great player making great plays. Of course, the Packers got the best of Megatron from time to time and as a perennial playoff team got the last laugh but nothing can negate the greatness of this player.
Just now, the Lions have agreed to a deal with Marvin Jones (formerly of the Browns) but that will not make up for the loss of Calvin Johnson. PackerNation…please comment below your farewell to this great player.
Its really sad, Megatron is leaving, have the most respect for him. Although he was a Lion I liked him that much and enjoyed watching him. Even more sad he won’t come to town to be an unstoppable force together with A-Rod!
Right Carsten…no Jordy, Cobb Megatron 3 receiver sets! Wow that would have been epic!
When you love a game , watching great performers like Megathron.and Barry Sanders is always great even if you are at the edge of your seat every time they touch the ball .against you.
Add the fact that they were class acts and I thank them for being part of the game. Best to both ..
Two truly great players and great men. Thanks for reading Mal