Johnson’s Touching Gesture
Shortly after the Lions’ victory over the Vikings on Christmas Eve, Calvin Johnson, former star wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, took to social media to express his gratitude and love for his city. Johnson liked, shared, and replied to a nearly 3-year-old post, thanking his fans for their continuous support.
Abrupt Retirement and Strained Relationship
Johnson’s retirement came as a surprise following the 2015 season, leaving behind a remarkable career that included 11,619 receiving yards. Despite his early departure from the game, Johnson surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in six of his nine seasons. However, his relationship with the franchise became somewhat strained, with reports of the team asking him to repay a portion of his signing bonus after retirement.
Improved Relations and Reconnecting
Over the years, Johnson’s relationship with his former team has shown signs of improvement. He made appearances at Ford Field, the Lions’ home stadium, earlier this season, and even hosted a high school football camp at the team’s training facility. Johnson’s presence at a minicamp session also indicated a reconnection with the franchise.
Turning Fortunes Around
Under the guidance of coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have experienced a turnaround in their performance. Clinching the division title has granted the team the opportunity to host their first-ever playoff game at Ford Field in January. Despite a tough final stretch in their victory over the Vikings, quarterback Jared Goff expressed his excitement and praised the team’s hard work.
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