The retirement of Calvin Johnson at 30 surprised many around the NFL, but it was a relief to those who tried to cover him. Three corners reflect on what made the ex-Lion one of the game’s greats. Plus reader email
In the week the NFL free market opens, the window closes for one of the great players of our time. Calvin Johnson made official Tuesday what he’d been fairly sure he’d do since Week 17 in Chicago: He retired from the NFL at 30, after nine seasons of top-level football. Of all the big, physical receivers I’ve covered, Johnson is the best one I’ve seen.