History of Calvin Johnson in Timeline
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.
December 3, 1950: Cloyce Box's Franchise Record
On October 27, 2013, Calvin Johnson broke the Detroit Lions' franchise record of 302 receiving yards, which was set by Cloyce Box on December 3, 1950.
1963: Terry Barr leads NFL in receiving touchdowns
In 1963, Terry Barr was the last Detroit Lion to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns before Calvin Johnson.
1966: Pat Studstill's NFL Record
During the stretch from week 9 to week 14 in 2012, Johnson tied the NFL record held by Pat Studstill in the 1966 season for consecutive games with 125 receiving yards or more.
1966: Pat Studstill led the league in receiving yards
In 2011, Calvin Johnson became the first Lion to lead the league in receiving yards since Pat Studstill in 1966.
1967: Johnson averages 120 yards per game
In 2012, Calvin Johnson became the only player in the Super Bowl era (since 1967) to average 120 yards per game in a season, averaging 122.8 yards per game.
September 29, 1985: Calvin Johnson Jr. born
On September 29, 1985, Calvin Johnson Jr. was born. He would later become a professional football wide receiver known as "Megatron".
1989: Flipper Anderson sets NFL record
On October 27, 2013, Johnson recorded the second-highest overall single-game yardage in NFL history behind Flipper Anderson's 336-yard performance in a 1989 overtime win.
1992: Lions Playoff Win
In 2023, Calvin Johnson supported the Lions at Ford Field as they secured their first playoff win since 1992, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 24–23.
1994: Sterling Sharpe's Reception Record
In 2015, it was noted that Calvin Johnson's 88 receptions were the second most in a player's final season, trailing Sterling Sharpe's 94 receptions in the 1994 season.
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: Attended Georgia Tech
In 2004, Calvin Johnson began attending the Georgia Institute of Technology to play football under coach Chan Gailey.
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: College Awards
In 2006, Calvin Johnson Jr. won the Fred Biletnikoff Award and the Paul Warfield Trophy while playing college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
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.
2006: Williams and Furrey reach 1,000 yards
In 2014, Johnson and Golden Tate became the Lions' first duo to reach 1,000 yards apiece in the same season since Roy Williams and Mike Furrey in 2006.
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.
September 23, 2007: Lower Back Injury
On September 23, 2007, Calvin Johnson sustained a lower back injury after making a catch over two Philadelphia Eagles defenders.
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: Injury and Medication
During the last three months of the 2007 season, Calvin Johnson revealed that he needed Vicodin to play through a bone bruise in his back.
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 7, 2008: Season Opener vs. Atlanta Falcons
On September 7, 2008, in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Calvin Johnson, as the starting wide receiver, led the team with seven catches for 107 yards.
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.
2008: Dealing with Injury
In 2008, Calvin Johnson revealed that he could still feel the lower-back injury from the 2007 season and needed Vicodin to play through the final three months.
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.
October 22, 2010: High School Jersey Retirement
On October 22, 2010, Sandy Creek High School retired Calvin Johnson's #81 jersey.
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.
April 25, 2012: Wins Madden NFL 13 cover athlete
On April 25, 2012, Calvin Johnson won the Madden NFL 13 cover athlete, beating out 42 other players.
2012: NFL Season Record
In 2012, Calvin Johnson set the NFL season record for receiving yards.
2012: Wild Card Game against Saints
In 2012, the Detroit Lions faced the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card game, losing 45-28. Calvin Johnson had 12 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns, breaking Detroit's playoff record.
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: Fastest player to reach 10,000 receiving yards
In 2014, Calvin Johnson became the fastest player to reach 10,000 receiving yards in NFL history during the Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears.
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.
March 2015: Engagement Announcement
In March 2015, Calvin Johnson became engaged to Brittney McNorton.
2015: Retirement from NFL
After the 2015 season, Calvin Johnson retired from the NFL, citing health concerns and a lack of team success.
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.
June 2016: Marriage to Brittney McNorton
In June 2016, Calvin Johnson married his long-time girlfriend, Brittney McNorton.
August 30, 2016: Dancing with the Stars Announcement
On August 30, 2016, Calvin Johnson was announced as a contestant on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Lindsay Arnold. He finished in third place.
2016: Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame
In 2016, Calvin Johnson was named to the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
2018: College Football Hall of Fame Induction
In 2018, Calvin Johnson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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.
August 2019: Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Board
In August 2019, Calvin Johnson was named to the board of directors of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association.
February 6, 2021: Hall of Fame Election
On February 6, 2021, Calvin Johnson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
2021: Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction
In 2021, Calvin Johnson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
September 17, 2023: Attendance at Lions Game
On September 17, 2023, Calvin Johnson attended the Detroit Lions home game against the Seattle Seahawks.
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