Calvin Johnson breaks record, shares special moment with dad
The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons faced off Saturday night, and while the Falcons’ 31-18 victory secured them the top seed in the NFC for the playoffs, the real story was Calvin Johnson. He broke the single season receiving yards record with 1,892. This beats Jerry Rice‘s previous record of 1,848 yards, and there’s still a week to go in the season.
When the play that helped break the record was complete, a 26-yard reception from quarterback Matt Stafford, Johnson jogged over to the sidelines and handed his dad the ball. It was a heartwarming moment between father and son.
“I was in my zone, you know. I went over there – I don’t think I even said anything to my dad when I gave him the ball. I just gave him a hug. When I think back on it, it was a special moment,” said Johnson after the game.
He also told ESPN what an honor it is to have broken the record, saying, “it’s a huge accomplishment to take one of those records from the great Jerry.”
His dad, Calvin Johnson Sr., was obviously proud of his son after the game.
“You imagine great things, but how can you imagine this?” he said.
Johnson also broke two other records during the game: he became the first player with 100 yards receiving in eight games in a row and the first with 10 receptions in four straight games. Johnson is definitely a highlight for a struggling Lions team this season. They won’t be heading to the playoffs this year, but at least it wasn’t a total wash.
