Calvin Johnson's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Calvin Johnson. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.