Detroit Lions’ iconic wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been named among the 15 finalists for the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Despite this being the first time Johnson has been eligible for the Hall of Fame he was honored as a finalist. Also achieving this honor in this cycle is quarterback Peyton Manning, defensive end Jared Allen, and former Michigan Wolverine Charles Woodson. Reggie Wayne and Torry Holt join Johnson as the only three finalists who played wide receiver.
Johnson was drafted second overall in the 2007 NFL draft and played nine seasons, all with the Lions. Over 135 games, Johnson produced 11,619 receiving yards and 83 receiving touchdowns, breaking the 1,000 yards receiving mark in seven seasons.
A few of Johnson’s career highlights include:
- In 2008, Johnson had his first 1,000+ yard season and tied Larry Fitzgerald for the NFL lead in receiving touchdowns with 12.
- In 2010, Johnson was named to his first Pro Bowl, and he would go on to make the team each of the final six years of his career.
- In 2011, Johnson led the NFL in receiving yards with 1681, and was named a first-team All-Pro team — he would make the team the next two seasons as well.
- In 2012, Johnson averaged an astounding 122.8 receiving yards a game and broke the NFL single-season receiving record with a 1,964-yard season. That record still stands.
- In 2013, Johnson’s 329-yard performance against the Dallas Cowboys was the second most dominating game in NFL history by a wide receiver.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 will be introduced during the broadcast of ‘NFL Honors,’ a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on the eve of Super Bowl LV (February 6th) at 9 p.m. (EST) on CBS,” per a Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement. “In addition, the NFL and The Associated Press will announce their annual accolades during the broadcast.”
[lawrence-related id=23723]