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When one of the best players in the NFL announces publicly that he is mulling retirement, it's going to create waves around the league. Indeed, on Wednesday several players expressed their feelings in response to the news that Calvin Johnson is considering ending his football career.
Antonio Brown, considered one of the best receivers in the game today, spoke with the media about how he views Megatron:
Antonio Brown doesn't believe it when told Calvin Johnson is pondering retirement. Says, "He's the GOAT."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 6, 2016
Antonio Brown ruefully says of Calvin Johnson, "I'd like to see him win some games before he retires."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 6, 2016
Former teammate Ryan Broyles also expressed his gratitude for playing alongside 81:
Calvin Johnson is the GOAT! If he hangs them up then he hangs them up. He's done is thing over the yrs! Blessed to say I suited up with him!
— Ryan Broyles (@RyanBroyles) January 6, 2016
Donte Stallworth, former NFL wide receiver, has a different theory about Calvin's announcement:
He wants out of Detroit -- or he's actually considering retirement. Both seem legit. https://t.co/Hu7NjJPevP
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) January 6, 2016
Current Lions are staying mum on the situation, likely respecting Calvin's time to think it over since nothing has been officially decided. But if it happens, expect the outpouring of love to be overwhelming.
UPDATE: For fun, Chad Johnson also put in his two cents:
Calvin Johnson won't make a decision on retirement until we sit down & have a talk, ignore the sources, it's a family decision...
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 7, 2016