Calvin Johnson Knew Lions Weren’t Going Anywhere, Wouldn’t Subject Himself to Insanity

Over a year ago when Calvin Johnson retired early, the Barry Sanders comparisons were endless, but not even Sanders dared to say what Megatron said this week.

Speaking with Italian media for Italian Bowl XXXVII (37) Johnson dropped some truth bombs as to why he retired early from pro football.

"I was stuck in my contract in Detroit. And they told me they would not release my contract, so I would have to come back to them." Johnson said when asked about the possibility of joining another team.

"I didn't see a chance for them (the Lions) to win a Super Bowl at the time... it wasn't worth my time to keep on beating my head against a wall and not going anywhere, that's the definition of insanity."

Ouch.

Johnson was also asked why he doesn't talk as much about his time with the Lions given his abrupt departure from them and the NFL entirely.

"I just didn't feel like I was treated the way I should have been treated on the way out. That’s all. I mean, it’s all good. I’m not tripping. I don’t feel any kind of way, just hey, that's what they did. Hey, it is what is."

You can see Johnson's entire public comments in the video below.