Recently retired in 2017, Calvin Johnson opened up about hoping the Atlanta Falcons to trade up to snag him in the 2007 NFL Draft. Things didn't go as planned as the Detroit Lions picked him second overall, behind Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell. The Falcons slid down to the 8th pick and selected defensive end Jamaal Anderson instead.
Johnson joined ex-Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin for an in-depth conversation on Quin's “The DB Room” YouTube show. and the former star wide receiver discussed his mindset heading into the draft and why he wanted Atlanta to make a move for him:
“Sitting there leading up to the draft, I am like shoot — boy, I hope I go to Atlanta,” Calvin Johnson said. “Played my high school ball, played my college ball right here and then, playing in the NFL right here. That would be the best little thing ever. Atlanta got No. 7 — I might not be there. I hope they trade up to get me.”
In 2012, Calvin Johnson signed a $132 million extension with $60 million guaranteed, committing his services until the 2019 season for substantial compensation.
Johnson's relationship with the Lions soured when the team asked him to pay back a portion of his signing bonus. He shared with Michael Rosenberg of Sports Illustrated that the case of Detroit asking him to pay the money back “wasn’t no killer,” he says, “but at the end of the day, you don’t do that to your best players.”
Despite not being able to play for his hometown team, Johnson had a respectable career by tallying over 731 receptions and 11,619 yards to go along with 83 touchdowns.
He was also a six-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro team member through nine seasons in the league.
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