Lions Seem Confused Over Calvin Johnson: Teammates Confirm Retirement, Team Says He's Considering Future
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
At least it has nothing to do with a fax machine, as with Barry Sanders' retirement. But the Lions' organization seems confused on if their latest star player is actually retired.
Whether we have or have not seen the end of Lions receiver Calvin Johnson's career remains to be seen, in an official capacity at least. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Johnson had told head coach Jim Caldwell after the end of the regular season that he had played his last season. Out of respect for Caldwell, according to Schefter, Johnson took time to think over his decision.
Once Schefter filed his report Sunday, several of Johnson's teammates seemed to confirm the news - apparently in direct contradiction to the Lions' official statement. Detroit released a statement Sunday saying, simply, "Regarding today's ESPN report, we stand by our statement issued on Jan. 6 regarding Calvin."
That statement, coming after Johnson's own release that he was considering his future, read: "We obviously have profound respect for Calvin and certainly understand and appreciate his decision to give proper thought and consideration to his football future."
But if Johnson is still thinking about his future in football, his teammates are jumping to Memory Lane pretty quickly.
Soon after Schefter's report flooded social media Sunday, Lions tight end Eric Ebron tweeted a photo of he and Johnson on the sideline together, punctuating it with a crying emoji:
Fellow receiver Corey Fuller also tweeted his appreciation, attached to an Instagram photo, ending his tribute with "Enjoy retirement."
And linebacker Josh Bynes posted an Instagram photo as well, with a paragraph about how he had enjoyed playing with Johnson, and thanking him for everything he gave Detroit.
If Johnson's teammates have been officially told of his retirement, they apparently need to tell the public relations department. And if they're jumping the gun, then at least Johnson knows what his retirement would look like.
