The Detroit Lions announced Monday that Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson would be enshrined in the team’s Pride of the Lions club during halftime of September 30’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson, who spent his entire eight-year career with the team that selected him second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, was surprised to hear the announcement during the opening remarks of his annual charity golf tournament.
WATCH: The moment @calvinjohnsonjr found out he would be inducted into the Pride of the Lions! pic.twitter.com/dAGwQwNXBC
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 15, 2024
The former wide receiver becomes the 21st Lion in franchise history to receive the honor, joining running back Barry Sanders, wide receiver Herman Moore, and others.
Johnson retired rather abruptly after the 2015 season. He had just put together his sixth straight 1,000-yard season and seemed to still be in the prime of his career. The retirement drew comparisons to that of Sanders, who also spent his entire ten-year career with Detroit and retired at just 30 years old.
The Lions honoring Johnson marks the official end of a feud between the player and team that spawned when Detroit asked Johnson to pay back his $1.6 million signing bonus after retiring.
Social media had a lot to say about the news.
Legend https://t.co/6MpXvT9QQ7 pic.twitter.com/bDXf74NNG9
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 15, 2024
Super cool that the Lions are doing this for the Seahawks game, one day after his birthday. I wasn’t old enough to watch Barry, but he’s by far the most talented player I’ve ever seen in Honolulu Blue. https://t.co/DwzgIKhwG6
— Kellen Voss (@Kellen__Voss) July 15, 2024
Well deserved one of the greatest Lions ever in the history of the franchise. 1 of the best WRs EVER!! @calvinjohnsonjr https://t.co/KIKHz4GYmm
— Alan Holmes (@aaholmes721) July 15, 2024
State of Georgia Legend
Georgia Tech Legend
Sandy Creek Legend https://t.co/avCmNPAwoY
— Armadillo Dave: SAW DC (@S_ATL_Wrestling) July 15, 2024
