Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson shocked many when he announced his retirement in March, especially since he is just 30 years old.
Outside of a lengthy statement, where he expressed his grattitude for the game, he didn't offer much explanation. However, over the weekend, he finally spoke publicly about his decision to retire during his Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation Catching Dreams Football Camp at L'Anse Creuse High School in Michigan.
It was about the Lions' losing record, the lack of playoff appearances or Super Bowls. Johnson says it's simple: his body wasn't holding up anymore.
"I know everybody wants to know why I retired, but it's more so I put a lot into the game and it's taken a lot out of me and that's where I'm at right now," he explained. "I'm not getting into the specifics of the things that it has taken away, but it definitely feels good, I guess I could say for myself, to spend more time around my family, my son, just got married.
"Things are going good right now."
Johnson played through a lot of pain through his career, during which he caught 731 passes for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. "I wouldn't just quit because we were losing," he said. "Just [my] body, man, I was tired of it. I was fed up. Had enough."
Johnson, who also went by the nickname Megatron, also made it clear... this is it. He's not coming back. "I'm not coming back. You ain't gotta worry about that," Johnson said.
So, what does the future hold?
Johnson says he's planning to eventually return to finish up his college degree at Georgia Tech. Apparently, he has around 30 credits to go. And, he's going to focus on his foundation.
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