No Stopping Megatron

Calvin Johnson, aka Megatron, is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL today. He is a 6′ 5″ 237lb freak of nature. His size and speed is almost unfair to any defender on the field. He has the ability to leap over anyone you put on him and snag the ball out of the air with two hands or one. He ran a 4.35 40 yard dash at the combine and that speed with that size is scary. All of these attributes helped him accomplish a record that had stood for over 15 years: the single-season receiving yards record. Jerry Rice is one of the greatest of all time and had set the record with 1,848 receiving yards in 1995 with the 49ers. But in 2012, Megatron made history when in the 15th game of the season, he set the new single-season receiving record with still one game to go. He would set the new record with 1,964 receiving yards.

This 2015 season, two wide receivers came very close to breaking the record. Julio Jones, the star wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons and ex Alabama Crimson Tide, actually had the second most receiving yards in a single season this year with 1,871 receiving yards. Also this year, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown had the fourth most receiving yards in a single season with 1,834. The NFL has evolved into a passing league. More and more receivers are evolving and making huge impacts on their teams and the NFL.

Calvin Johnson being one of the best at his position, sits atop the single season receiving yards leader. I remember the exact catch he had to secure the record because I wanted to be able to say that I witnessed history with my ow two eyes. The Lions were hosting the Atlanta Falcons in the fifteenth game of the regular season. Johnson caught a short six yard out in stride and continued to take it for an additional 19 yards for a 25 yard single season receiving record catch. I remember knowing he had an all but certain chance to break the record in that game and I remember feeling so happy for him. I was waiting the whole game until finally with 3:02 left in the 4th quarter, Calvin Johnson completed the incredible task with a 25 yard catch. Fans at Ford Field were on their feet applauding the great individual accomplishment of their beloved Calvin Johnson.