The Detroit Lions have officially announced that Calvin Johnson will be inducted into their prestigious ring of honor, known as the “Pride of the Lions.” The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place during halftime of the Lions’ “homecoming game” against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, September 30.
Lions President and CEO Rod Wood expressed his excitement about the induction, stating, “We are thrilled to add Calvin Johnson Jr. to the Pride of the Lions. His dedication on the field and to the city of Detroit is legendary, and this honor is truly well-deserved. We are proud to immortalize him inside Ford Field as a Detroit Lion.”
The heartwarming moment when Johnson was surprised with the news of his induction was captured on tape. During Johnson’s celebrity golf outing on July 15, Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner and Lions legend Lomas Brown presented him with the exciting news.
Calvin Johnson’s name will now be in the rafters at Ford Field. He was just surprised by Mike Disner and Lomas Brown that he will be inducted into the Pride of the Lions during Monday Night Football against the Seahawks.
Congrats @calvinjohnsonjr, well deserved!! pic.twitter.com/t76Y5f8g6S
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) July 15, 2024
UPDATE: Here’s another video of Calvin Johnson’s reaction to the news from the Up and Adams show, with Kay Adams:
Johnson, who was drafted by the Lions in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft as the second overall pick, spent nine remarkable years with the team. He achieved six Pro Bowl appearances, three All-Pro seasons, and set an NFL record that still stands today: 1,964 receiving yards in a single season (2012). In 2021, Johnson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot.
After retiring suddenly in 2016 and initially having a dispute with the Lions organization over his signing bonus, Johnson and the team went through a period of strained relations. However, after years of reconciliation, Johnson is now fully embraced by the team, culminating in this special moment during Week 4 of the 2024 season.
The esteemed list of previous inductees into the “Pride of the Lions” includes:
- OT Lomas Brown
- LB Chris Spielman
- DT Roger Brown
- DT Alex Karras
- WR Herman Moore
- CB Lem Barney
- S Jack Christiansen
- QB Dutch Clark
- OL Lou Creekmur
- K Jason Hanson
- CB Dick “Night Train” Lane
- S Yale Lary
- QB Bobby Layne
- CB Dick LeBeau
- RB Barry Sanders
- TE Charlie Sanders
- LB Joe Schmidt
- G Dick Stanfel
- RB Doak Walker
- OL Alex Wojciechowicz