The Detroit Lions announced today that Calvin Johnson, one of the best wide receivers of his generation, will retire.
The Lions released a brief statement today, noting that Johnson filed his paperwork with the NFL just before the new league year starts on March 9.
News that Johnson planned to retire, despite only being 30 years old, first surfaced in late January. He has suffered injuries in recent years, facing an ankle injury and boy soreness. According to ESPN, Johnson was set to make $24 million in 2016. The team will save $11.1 million in cap space thanks to his retirement.
Even though the Lions only had a winning record twice during his nine seasons in the league, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 draft is likely to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He is No. 43 all time in receptions and No. 22 in touchdowns. He has a slew of Lions team records. In 2012, he set the NFL record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,964 yards.
Johnson is following in the footsteps of another Lions legend. Running back Barry Sanders was only 31 when he retired after 10 seasons with the team.