Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson living up to villainous nickname
BARRY vs. CALVIN
As a huge Barry Sanders fan, I know there always was this tinge of ‘Barry retired because the Detroit Lions weren’t winning.’ While that upset me, it wasn’t an outright demand to be released and play for another team.
I have the same issue with Sanders retiring too early, as I have with Johnson. Maybe if he stuck around, the Lions could have made a run.
The very best season in Detroit Lions recent history was in 1991. Barry was in his third year, and the Lions made it to the NFC Championship. There was no way to know that season was going to happen beforehand. It just happened.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened since, but it doesn’t mean you don’t keep trying.
Runs happen. You can either be part of it or not.
With every offer made toward Barry about a return (even by Matt Millen), he maintained that he enjoyed retirement and was done with the game.
THE MONEY
More from SideLion Report
- Top 5 revenge games on the Detroit Lions 2023 schedule
- Lions center Frank Ragnow optimistic about continuing to play through toe injury
- Detroit Lions 2023 preseason schedule: Dates, times and opponents
- A new contract extension projection for Lions quarterback Jared Goff
- 4 wide receivers the Detroit Lions could still look to acquire this offseason
Of course, like anything, money plays a role.
Barry, like Calvin, was forced to pay back part of his signing bonus. It’s a crappy part of the business, but they signed a contract and didn’t fulfill the entire deal. Leaving early means not getting the full amount of the agreement.
For both guys, no one forced them to sign contracts. Especially considering, at the time, those contracts made them the highest paid player at their position. If you hated being a part of the Detroit Lions, don’t sign a long-term deal.
Yeah, Detroit could slap on the franchise tag. But at least your intentions would be clear. If you want out of Detroit, then don’t make a continuing commitment. You can’t have it both ways.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I honestly hope “Megatron” can make a return to the Detroit Lions. Playing for the Lions again: unlikely. But being a part of their activities, and being embraced as one of their greats (and Calvin is one of their best players ever) is still a possibility.
Personally, I’m not sure that I will see Johnson in the same light ever again. If “Megatron” still wants to play football, I don’t want to see that happen in another uniform. Even if it meant an extra asset for the current team, I would prefer Calvin just play for the Lions.
This isn’t the NBA. You can’t just go form or join a super team. NFL titles are much more elusive. They are about smart drafting, savvy personnel decisions, and great coaching. That is a hard combination to achieve. But when it’s right, there is magic on the field.
Next: The Detroit Lions All-Time Offensive Team
Calvin Johnson can’t know that the Detroit Lions will never win. Or even that he couldn’t have helped them win more games the past two seasons. What he knows is what every great villain like “Megatron” knows: they are not to blame, and all the fault lies with someone else.