Tuesday 8 March 2016 19:33, UK
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has announced his immediate retirement from the NFL.
Just a day after one of the all-time great quarterbacks, Peyton Manning, officially called it a day, Johnson, one of the NFL's best receivers, has also retired.
The Lions revealed on Tuesday that the 30-year old has brought to an end a nine-year career with the franchise.
"I have played my last game of football. This was not an easy or hasty decision," said Johnson. "I have put a lot of time, deliberation and prayer into this decision and I am truly at peace with it.
"I loved playing in Detroit and will forever be a Lion. My biggest regret is that I wasn't able to help give our fans a championship."
Famously nicknamed 'Megatron', Johnson was the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as one of the league's top receivers.
He retires having broken a considerable number of records, both franchise records with the Lions and all-time NFL records. Johnson also earned six consecutive Pro Bowl invitations between 2010 and 2015.
Among them, he owns the NFL record for most receiving yards in a season. His 1,964 yards in 2012 broke the record held by San Francisco 49ers great Jerry Rice.
This record was considered all the more remarkable considering the Lions only reached the play-offs twice during Johnson's time in Detroit, once in 2011 and again in 2014.
Johnson also holds the record of being the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 receiving yards, taking just 115 games to reach the mark. He is also tied with Michael Irvin for the most games with over 100 receiving yards in a season, with eleven.
Rumours of his retirement began at the end of the 2015 season, with reports suggesting Johnson was leaning towards calling time on his career.
That was after three seasons troubled by injury, including daily knee drains in 2013 to keep on playing. His 2014 year was blighted by ankle trouble, which persisted in 2015, although he was able to play in all 16 of Detroit's games.
He still managed to finish the season with 88 catches for 1,214 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Johnson's departure will save the Lions $11.1m in cap space. He walks away from a contract with $67.7m and four years left on it, which remains the largest-ever deal for a wide receiver.
