Career Timeline of Calvin Johnson: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Calvin Johnson built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Calvin Johnson Jr., nicknamed "Megatron", is a retired American football wide receiver celebrated for his nine seasons with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Widely considered one of the greatest wide receivers in history, Johnson earned national recognition playing college football at Georgia Tech, where he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award and Paul Warfield Trophy in 2006. The Lions drafted him second overall in the 2007 NFL draft, marking the start of his impactful professional career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: Lions clinch a playoff spot

In 2011, Johnson and the Lions clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 1999, after defeating the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Eve.

2001: Matt Millen Became General Manager and CEO

In 2001, Matt Millen became the general manager and CEO of the Detroit Lions, a position he held until September 24, 2008.

2004: Freshman Year at Georgia Tech

In 2004, as a freshman at Georgia Tech, Calvin Johnson made an immediate impact, leading the Yellow Jackets with 48 catches for 837 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors.

2005: All-American Honors

In 2005, Calvin Johnson earned first-team All-American honors and All-ACC honors for the second straight year. He led his team with 54 catches for 888 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

2005: Combine Performance

Since 2005, Calvin Johnson is one of only three players 6-foot-5 or taller to run a 40-yard dash in under 4.40 seconds at the combine.

2006: Solar Latrine Project

During the summer of 2006, Calvin Johnson chose to work on a project building solar latrines to improve sanitation in Bolivia, leveraging his background in building construction.

2006: Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy Candidate

In 2006, Calvin Johnson won the Biletnikoff Award as the season's outstanding college football receiver and finished tenth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He set a school record for receiving yards in a single season and became the school's all-time leader in receiving yards for a career.

January 8, 2007: Declared for NFL Draft

On January 8, 2007, Calvin Johnson declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft, forgoing his senior season at Georgia Tech.

August 3, 2007: Signed with Detroit Lions

On August 3, 2007, Calvin Johnson signed a six-year deal with the Detroit Lions worth up to US$64 million, including $27.2 million in guaranteed money.

September 9, 2007: NFL Debut

On September 9, 2007, Calvin Johnson made his NFL debut, catching four passes for 70 yards and his first career touchdown in Detroit's 36–21 win over the Oakland Raiders.

October 21, 2007: First Rushing Touchdown

On October 21, 2007, Calvin Johnson scored his first and only professional rushing touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on a 32-yard reverse play in the 23–16 victory.

2007: Selected in NFL draft

In 2007, Calvin Johnson Jr. was selected by the Detroit Lions as the second overall pick in the NFL draft, launching his professional football career.

2007: Drafted by the Lions

In 2007, Calvin Johnson was drafted by the Lions with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft.

September 24, 2008: Matt Millen Terminated

On September 24, 2008, Matt Millen, the Detroit Lions' general manager and CEO since 2001, was terminated.

2008: Lions finish 0-16 season

In 2008, Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions finished the season with a 0-16 record after losing to the Green Bay Packers. Despite the team's struggles and multiple quarterbacks, Johnson still performed well, ranking high in receiving yards and leading the league with 12 receiving touchdowns.

2008: Foundation Founding

In 2008, Calvin Johnson founded The Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation, Inc., dedicated to education, training, and social development of at-risk youth and providing financial aide to various community organizations.

2009: Lions Draft Matthew Stafford

In 2009, the Detroit Lions selected quarterback Matthew Stafford as the first pick in the NFL draft. Despite injuries to Stafford, Johnson finished the season with 67 receptions, 984 yards, and five touchdowns.

2010: Johnson has 77 receptions and is selected to Pro Bowl

During the 2010 season, Calvin Johnson amassed 77 receptions for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning him the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. Following the season, he received the Media-Friendly Good Guy Award.

2010: Pro Bowl Appearance

In 2010, Calvin Johnson began a streak of six consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, solidifying his status as a top player.

2011: Ranked 27th on NFL Top 100 Players

Following the 2010 season, Calvin Johnson was ranked 27th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.

2011: Record-Breaking Receiving Yards

From 2011 to 2013, Calvin Johnson had 5,137 receiving yards, the most by any player over a three-year stretch in NFL history.

2011: Career-high season and playoff berth

In 2011, Calvin Johnson reached a career-high of 1,681 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. The Lions clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 1999. Johnson finished the season leading the league in receiving yards.

2011: All-Pro Selection

In 2011, Calvin Johnson received the first of three consecutive first-team All-Pro selections.

March 14, 2012: Signs eight-year extension with Lions

On March 14, 2012, Calvin Johnson signed an eight-year extension worth US$132 million with the Detroit Lions, making him the highest-paid receiver in the league.

2012: NFL Season Record

In 2012, Calvin Johnson set the NFL season record for receiving yards.

2013: Johnson with 84 receptions

During the 2013 season, Calvin Johnson had 84 receptions, 1,492 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns in 14 games.

2013: Ranked third by fellow players on NFL Top 100 Players

Following the 2012 season, Calvin Johnson was ranked third by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

2013: Record-Breaking Receiving Yards

From 2011 to 2013, Calvin Johnson had 5,137 receiving yards, the most by any player over a three-year stretch in NFL history.

2013: All-Pro Selection

In 2013, Calvin Johnson received his third consecutive first-team All-Pro selection, adding to his achievements.

2013: Finished the 2013 season with 84 receptions

In the 2013 season, Calvin Johnson finished with 84 receptions, 1,492 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns in 14 games.

2014: Named to the 2014 Pro Bowl

Calvin Johnson was named to the 2014 Pro Bowl, but had to withdraw due to an injury. He was also ranked second by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.

2014: Named to fifth consecutive Pro Bowl

In 2014, Calvin Johnson was named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl, finishing the season with 71 receptions for 1,044 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He and Golden Tate became the first Lions duo to reach 1,000 yards apiece in the same season since 2006.

2015: Ranked sixth on NFL Top 100 Players

Following the 2014 season, Calvin Johnson was ranked sixth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015.

2015: Pro Bowl Appearance

In 2015, Calvin Johnson made his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, adding to his accolades.

2015: Final Season Performance

In 2015, Calvin Johnson recorded 88 receptions for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns, reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth consecutive year and seventh time in nine years. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth consecutive year, but declined to attend. His 1,214 yards are the most ever in a player's final NFL season.

2015: Receiving Yards and Touchdowns Leader

Through the 2015 season, since being drafted in 2007, no player had more receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and 100-yard games than Calvin Johnson.

March 8, 2016: Retirement Announcement

On March 8, 2016, Calvin Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL after nine seasons. His 11,619 receiving yards rank fourth in a player's first nine seasons.

February 2019: Medical Cannabis Dispensary Approval

In February 2019, Calvin Johnson and his wife Brittney received preliminary approval to open a medical cannabis dispensary in Michigan.

August 2019: Partnership with Harvard University

In August 2019, Calvin Johnson announced a partnership with Harvard University to study the effects of cannabis on CTE and its potential benefits for managing pain. He and Rob Sims donated to the International Phytomedicines and Medical Cannabis Institute at Harvard.