Detroit Lions star WR Calvin Johnson retires after 9 seasons

DETROIT — Calvin Johnson has retired.

The 30-year-old receiver, known as Megatron, announced his decision Tuesday to walk away from the NFL after nine mostly spectacular seasons with the Detroit Lions.



Johnson had 88 receptions for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns last season, playing through lingering injuries as he often did. He has 731 career receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 TDs. Johnson broke one of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's records with 1,964 yards receiving in 2012, a total Atlanta's Julio Jones approached last season.

Johnson drew another comparison to Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, who slipped away from the Lions shortly before the 1999 season after he had 1,491 yards rushing as a 30-year-old running back the previous year.