Former Detroit Lions wide receiver and Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson knows a thing or two about breaking single-season records.
In 2012, Johnson amassed an NFL single-season record 1,964 receiving yards, blowing past the previous record of 1,848 set by Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers in 1995.
When the NFL season expanded from 16 games to 17 games before the 2021 season, it felt like just a matter of time before Johnson’s record fell, especially with how pass-happy the league has become, even in the 12 years since Johnson broke the record.
While Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, and Tyreek Hill have each come within 200 yards of the record since the additional game was added, Johnson’s record still stands.
During an appearance on Jim Rome’s show on Friday, the topic of the record came up. Rome asked if the eventual 17-game record should have an asterisk next to it, to which Johnson replied. “One hundred percent. You know, I mean shoot, the record should say 16 games or whatever it is. That’s what the record should say.”
Johnson makes an interesting point, however, when Rice broke the previous record it was set by Houston Oilers wide receiver Charley Hennigan in the 1961 season when he had 1,746 receiving yards in just 14 games, as that was the length of the season at the time. There was no asterisk on Rice’s record. Over time, the game evolves for better or worse.
