Terry Foster Reveals How He Uncovered Calvin Johnson's Possible Retirement
By: Terry Foster
@terryfoster971
It began with a hunch.
That is how the Calvin Johnson retirement story began here on these web pages.
Something was up when Johnson demanded game balls from the Lions final two games of the season. And he had a cryptic interview with our own Tony Ortiz following the Lions game in Chicago. Something did not smell right.
Shortly after the hunch, a source began texting me saying Johnson was retiring, that his mind was already made up. He was not returning next season.
But I did not trust him initially. Later I did.
I wrote a blog based mostly on a hunch and then began making phone calls. Stories break in a variety of ways but I want you guys to know exactly what happened. Our business is about secrets and keeping the public guessing. That is what I was accustomed to doing when I wrote for The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. In journalism we try to keep you guessing.
Sometimes that makes sense.
CBS and 971 The Ticket have given me this forum and stealing a line from Frank Sinatra, I will do it my way. I was told by one of our managers Christy Strawser that many of the restrictions that applied in print journalism are off. She told me to push it. That is what I plan on doing and we will be in for a wild ride if you hang with me. I will try to let you inside as much as I can.
I won't tell you who tipped me off about Johnson. But I will give you a hint. He is a male.
I talked to former teammates, media members who know Calvin and another guy that I refer to as a "busy body" who knows a lot about the Lions. My radio partner Mike Valenti knows a busy body also. I don't know who his guy is. He does not know mine. For all we know it could be the same dude.
I stayed on the phone. I tipped my wife off to what I was working on and she joked late at night: "Oh my God. Are you still working on that Calvin story? I thought you retired."
Within hours of writing my first blog I felt comfortable saying Johnson is considering retirement, although I really believe he is leaving the Lions after nine years. I wanted to sleep on it for one night and see how I felt the next morning.
I got up and wrote my column and called the Lions for comment, telling them I finally have this story nailed down. The front office read the first blog and I was told a statement would be coming soon. I posted the second blog saying Johnson is considering retirement.
The team called me within an hour and said to stay by the computer for a statement from Johnson. Let me admit that I was fearful of Johnson writing: "This crack head Terry Foster does not know what he's talking about."
That did not happen.
I've read national columns and many questioned why would Johnson issue a statement out of the blue. He didn't. It was based on my reporting. I don't know if Johnson wanted this information out yet but as far as I know he is not upset.
It is disappointing that people in my business try to discredit you. A couple people have tried to make a case that I did not break this story. One guy wrote to say that I copied my information from a fantasy football web page I never heard of.
I might be an old dog, but I am not dead yet. More is to come.
Enjoy your weekend. Let's visit again Monday.
Terry Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com