Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, left, stands with singers Eminem and Big Sean and former receiver Calvin Johnson during the pregame of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 14, 2024, in Detroit. (Photo by Paul Sancya, AP)
Calvin Johnson has already received the NFL’s highest honor: induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But now the six-time Pro Bowler has another football honor to add to his record, and it’s perhaps the most personal to him, based on his reaction.
The Detroit Lions announced Monday that Johnson would join the Pride of the Lions. The ceremony will take place at halftime of the Lions’ Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 30, which will also be their “homecoming” game.
The unexpected news was conveyed to Johnson by Lions Chief Operating Officer Mike Disner during his introduction statement at the second annual Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation Celebrity Golf Outing on Monday morning at the Detroit Golf Club.
“We are thrilled to add Calvin Johnson Jr. to the Pride of the Lions,” Lions President and CEO Rod Wood said in a statement. “His dedication on the field and to the city of Detroit is legendary, and this is a well-deserved honor. We are honored that he will be forever remembered at Ford Field and as a Detroit Lion.”
Johnson was a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. Johnson, also known as “Megatron,” retired at the age of 30. He concluded his career with 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the league’s best wide receivers of all time.
Johnson’s induction to the Pride of the Lions is the latest sign of a better connection between the former four-time All-Pro wideout and the team that drafted him second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft.
Following his retirement following the 2015 season, his relationship with the Lions gradually deteriorated. The franchise demanded that he refund his $1.6 million signing bonus. Despite Johnson’s readiness to reconcile, he asked that the team reimburse the money. He earlier turned down a chance to receive the money over three years through an appearance/legends arrangement.
Since then, Johnson has been an unofficial spokesman for the team, particularly during last year’s playoff run, which concluded in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. Johnson was spotted in the stands enjoying the Lions’ long-awaited postseason victory alongside Detroit native and hip hop sensation Big Sean.Johnson Jr. joins 20 other all-time Lions superstars honored in the Pride of the Lions, which was founded in 2009. The most recent inductees are OT Lomas Brown in 2023 and LB Chris Spielman in 2021. Other honors include DT Roger Brown, DT Alex Karras, WR Herman Moore, CB Lem Barney, S Jack Christiansen, QB Dutch Clark, OL Lou Creekmur, K Jason Hanson, and CB Dick “Night Train” Lane S Yale Lary, quarterback Bobby Layne, cornerback Dick LeBeau, running back Barry Sanders, tight end Charlie Sanders, linebacker Joe Schmidt, guard Dick Stanfel, running back Doak Walker, and offensive lineman Alex Wojciechowicz.
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