Social media reaction: Calvin Johnson retires

Mar 09, 2016 at 05:11 AM

See how Calvin Johnson's teammates, opponents and other athletes reacted to the news of his retirement on social media:

Current/former teammates:

I want to say thank you Calvin for showing me consistently what it's like to be the greatest. I'm incredibly humbled and thankful to have played 2 years with ya. What you did for the Lions organization, the game , and kids with big dreams will ALWAYS be cherished. The way you carried yourself on and off field , in the community, and your walk in faith painted a perfect picture of what the greatest should look like. Again, THANK YOU, we will miss ya out there. However I bet the Bears, Packers, Vikings DBs have been praying for this day for years. 😂😂
A post shared by Golden Tate (@showtimetate) on Mar 8, 2016 at 1:45pm PST

Congrats my brotha! It was an honor to share the huddle w you. Even though I didn't understand what you were saying most of the time. Lol. It was truly fun. The Legend @megatron
A post shared by Lance Moore (@lancemoore16) on Mar 8, 2016 at 1:12pm PST

RESPECT!!! ✊🏿#livinglegend
A post shared by Ezekiel Ansah 🇬🇭 (@ziggy_ansah) on Mar 8, 2016 at 10:21am PST

What a true blessing to go against the best every day. It's was an honor to witness some of your greatest moments!!!!! 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 Calvin Johnson
A post shared by Darius Slay (@bigplayslay23) on Mar 8, 2016 at 9:14am PST

It was an honor to be teammate of Calvin! Great Career, Great Person and Great teammate #HOF #NflLegend #GOAT
A post shared by Jason Jones (@j9j1) on Mar 8, 2016 at 8:31am PST

When an honor to play with this guy. A professional, mentor, and friend. The GOAT, you'll be missed @megatron. pic.twitter.com/BGlpyIEUoP
— Sam (@SamMartin_6) March 8, 2016

We as players and fans are all in aw of what Calvin Johnson is and was as a player. But I can speak for many in that locker room that see Calvin on a day-to-day basis that he's a much GREATER person than he is a player. What an honor to have played with one of the greatest receivers of All-Time.#Megatron#Respect
A post shared by Stephen Tulloch (@stephentulloch) on Jan 31, 2016 at 7:37pm PST

😪 pic.twitter.com/u2nFBAuYK9
— Eric Ebron (@Ebron85) January 31, 2016

Blessed to have strapped up the pads and went to war with CJ for two years!! I swear he is a better person than a football player! Humble, hard working, one of the best to play the position! Much success in future and thank you for all you gave to Detroit! #futureHOF #G.O.A.T
A post shared by Josh Bynes (@jab56) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:16pm PST

When I signed with the Detroit Lions I met a young man by the name of Calvin Johnson Jr...a humble superstar who spoke with his actions not his words. After watching him during our first practice together I knew I was going to be witness to something very special. In the 4 years I was there I saw him evolve from really good to great to unstoppable. I can only describe it like a Super Hero realizing his Super Powers one day at a time until he realized he was there to save the city. CJ is a man of few words but I knew by how much he loved Detroit and by his work ethic I realized he embraced the responsibility of bringing pride to Michigan which HE DID time & time again. It was a pleasure to watch, honor to play with and joy to kick it wit you bro. You gave the game everything you had in every game you played and out worked every dollar you made. You are one of few shinning examples of how I will not only teach my kids to approach sports but how to approach life. I Never told you in person but this is how I saw you when we played together... ☆You stood like a Giant amongst Boys, toiled like a Peasant amongst Kings and Blessed us with your presence like a God amongst Men☆ You may be Megatron to the masses but you just CJ to me. Enjoy retirement homie! Love, Nate B #LionBloodForever
A post shared by Nate Burleson (@nateburleson) on Mar 8, 2016 at 8:20am PST

Great talent on the field, Great teammate on and off the field, Great friend and even greater man. Good luck in your near future, the entire NFL nation will miss you bruh. I was blessed enough to play 5 years with the greatest to ever do it. #B4L
A post shared by (Juggernaut) (@joiquernaut) on Mar 8, 2016 at 9:16am PST

I was blessed to have the opportunity to play with one of the greatest receivers to ever play this game! The true definition of a Professional on and off the field congrats on a Hall of Fame career bro! @megatron
A post shared by reggiebush (@reggiebush) on Mar 8, 2016 at 1:42pm PST

Opponents:

It was an honor to play against one of the games greatest! Enjoy your retirement @calvinjohnsonjr pic.twitter.com/HowNVE1x7k
— Johnthan Banks (@JBanks_27) March 8, 2016

One of the greats of my era! An athletic freak, intense competitor, and true pro! ✊🏾 https://t.co/uzjiHXsAhe
— Greg Jennings (@GregJennings) March 8, 2016

Dang @calvinjohnsonjr man you had more years left man the game will miss you but cornerbacks won't lol goodluck in life
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 8, 2016

Always give respect when respect is due! Bless Up to a legend on his retirement @calvinjohnsonjr !!!! pic.twitter.com/6UDe2llTy8
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 2, 2016

One of the better persons than player !!!
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 2, 2016

MAN! Crazy to hear news about Megatron being done! So many great battles! So much respect for big #81! #Megatron pic.twitter.com/Em2nb7Fpju
— Patrick Peterson /P2 (@P2) January 31, 2016

Surround yourself around those who make YOU Better! #Megatron #BigPlayCJ #CalvinJohnson https://t.co/rG5JCYan7l pic.twitter.com/q3MWYQ9NyV
— Patrick Peterson /P2 (@P2) February 1, 2016

#megatron is guy you turned on @sportscenter to see what did he do NOW!!! #Salute https://t.co/LvnNQXboXa pic.twitter.com/aX7WY5R5Fu — Steve Smith Sr (@89SteveSmith) February 1, 2016

One of my favorite match ups... Always looked forward to the competition. One of the greats @calvinjohnsonjr pic.twitter.com/L3FdEsqLQU
— Charles Tillman (@peanuttillman) February 1, 2016

Thanks to Calvin Johnson for being a fierce competitor, classy opponent and one heck of a football player. 🏈 #MegaThanks
A post shared by Arizona Cardinals (@azcardinals) on Mar 8, 2016 at 10:02am PST

Other athletes:

An amazing and rare talent both on and off the field, and I feel lucky to have been able to see him play. https://t.co/eSIk8iWr3M
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) March 8, 2016

What an unbelievable career @calvinjohnsonjr had! All #NFL and specifically #Detroit fans will miss watching you! #fanforlife #HOF
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) January 31, 2016

Wow. No more Megatron. One of the ga tech yellow jackets I liked!! #beast
— John Isner (@JohnIsner) January 31, 2016

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Social media reaction: Calvin Johnson retires

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