Few receivers have ever looked as unfair as Calvin Johnson did in his prime. At 6 ft 5 in with sprinter's speed and enormous hands, Megatron spent nine seasons making defensive backs look helpless for the Detroit Lions.
He retired at just 30, but he did enough in that time to walk into the Hall of Fame at the first time of asking. Here is his story, and you can shop every design in our Calvin Johnson collection.
Calvin Johnson Fact File
| Full name | Calvin Johnson Jr. |
| Date of birth | 29 September 1985 (age 41) |
| Place of birth | Tyrone, Georgia, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Position | Wide receiver |
| Nationality | American |
| Current status | Retired (2016); Hall of Famer |
| Shirt number | 81 |
| Nickname | Megatron |
Career History
| Years | Team | Games | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–2015 | Detroit Lions | 135 | 731 | 11,619 | 83 |
NFL regular-season figures. His 731 catches and 11,619 yards are both Detroit Lions franchise records.
Georgia Roots and Georgia Tech
Johnson grew up in Georgia and starred at Georgia Tech from 2004 to 2006. In his final college season he won both the Fred Biletnikoff Award and the Paul Warfield Trophy as the nation's best receiver.
The Detroit Lions made him the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, and he wore number 81 for his entire pro career.
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Becoming Megatron
Team-mate Roy Williams gave him the nickname Megatron, and it stuck as Johnson turned into the league's most feared deep threat. From 2010 he was selected for six straight Pro Bowls.
He was named first-team All-Pro three years running from 2011 to 2013, regularly beating double coverage with his size and leaping ability.
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The 1,964-Yard Season
In 2012 Johnson racked up 1,964 receiving yards, breaking Jerry Rice's single-season NFL record. That same year he recorded eight consecutive 100-yard games, another league record.
He was named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team, a fitting reward for the decade's most physically dominant receiver.
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Early Retirement and the Hall of Fame
Johnson announced his retirement on 8 March 2016 after nine seasons, still at the peak of his powers. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
On 6 February 2021 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, joining the Class of 2021.
Honours
College
- Fred Biletnikoff Award (2006)
- Paul Warfield Trophy (2006)
- College Football Hall of Fame (2018)
NFL
- 6× Pro Bowl (2010–2015)
- 3× first-team All-Pro (2011–2013)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
Records and Hall of Fame
- NFL single-season receiving yards record: 1,964 (2012)
- Most consecutive 100-yard games: 8 (shared)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2021 (first ballot)
Away From the Game
In 2008 Johnson founded the Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation, which runs the annual Catching Dreams camp for high-school receivers. Since retiring he has co-founded the Primitiv cannabis business in Michigan with former Lions team-mate Rob Sims.
FAQs
How old is Calvin Johnson?
Calvin Johnson was born on 29 September 1985, so he is 41 years old.
Where was Calvin Johnson born?
He was born in Tyrone, Georgia, in the United States.
How tall is Calvin Johnson?
Johnson stands 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m).
What teams did Calvin Johnson play for?
He played college football for Georgia Tech and spent his entire NFL career with the Detroit Lions (2007–2015).
What is Calvin Johnson's receiving yards record?
He set the NFL single-season record with 1,964 receiving yards in 2012.
Why is Calvin Johnson called Megatron?
Lions team-mate Roy Williams gave him the nickname, a nod to the Transformers character, because of his size and power.
Shop the Calvin Johnson Collection
Celebrate Megatron with our made-to-order hoodies and T-shirts, printed in the UK.
Shop every design in our Calvin Johnson collection. Explore the full American football collection or shop our Detroit Lions collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Barry Sanders Career Story and Jerry Rice Career Story.
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