Calvin Johnson’s life will forever be remembered as one of immense personal growth, immense success, and a strong commitment to service. The impact of both his career and life will be felt long after his passing. He was an individual that embraced his life as a professional athlete and excelled in it, along with furthering his life and personal goals through philanthropy and dedication to his family. 

Table of Contents:

1. Early Life

2. Football Career

3. Philanthropic Efforts

4. Personal Life

5. Legacy

6. Calvin Johnson Quotes

1. Early Life

Calvin Johnson was born on September 29th, 1985 in Newnan, Georgia to Arica Johnson and Calvin Johnson Sr. He was the youngest of five children and had two older sisters and two older brothers. His parents bestowed upon him a strong work ethic, a factor that would ultimately drive him to success. As he grew older, his parents both maintained the importance of education while he was growing up, and was a bright student and an exceptional athlete. At an early age, he participated in track and field, baseball, basketball, and football. He was determined to succeed in all sports, which earned him several accolades during his high school career.

2. Football Career

It was during his senior year of high school that Calvin Johnson’s career trajectory shifted toward football. He was voted to the Georgia Sports Writers Association’s first-team All-State and was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year. He was also selected to the 2004 Georgia-Florida All-Star Game. In 2005, he attended Georgia Tech with a scholarship and joined the Yellow Jackets, football team. During his college career, Johnson became the first Yellow Jacket to reach 1,000 yards in all four seasons of college, leading his team to a bowl championship all four years as well. He was selected to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team and garnered a slew of national awards. In 2007, he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the NFL draft.

3. Philanthropic Efforts

In addition to football, Calvin Johnson’s drive to succeed in life led to countless other successes outside of football. He established the “Door in the Woods” foundation which served and lives to remember those who have passed away and help push individuals in society towards a better life. He was also an active and vital part of the positive “Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund”, which not only provided monetary support to NFL veterans in need but further nurtured former players into purposeful and healthy lifestyles.

4. Personal Life

Despite Calvin Johnson’s extraordinary success on the football field. He is the father of three beautiful daughters and was a dedicated family man. As he became more successful, Johnson continued to strive to provide a strong and safe environment for his children and family. He was successful in doing so, and his children have already admired him for his hard work and dedication toward them.

5. Legacy

Calvin Johnson will forever be remembered for his remarkable athleticism and unparalleled dedication on the football field. He was a living embodiment of unwavering relentlessness, and his character will forever be an inspiration for generations to come. In addition to his career, his philanthropic works and contributions to the community will serve to influence the potential of those in search of opportunities. He will be remembered as a gentle giant, a hero to those that looked up to him, and a beloved father. Calvin Johnson’s life was a testimony to his hard work, relentless persistence, and strong character.

Calvin Johnson Quotes

“I don’t really get too frustrated. I know I’m going to get the ball.” – Calvin Johnson

“You’ve got to be ready for everything. When it comes to everyone’s opinion, that’s what you’ve got to go through.” – Calvin Johnson

“There are times when you catch a ball and really didn’t even see that ball. You’re like, ‘That couldn’t have been all me.'” – Calvin Johnson

“The goal every year is to win the Super Bowl, not just to get to the playoffs, not just to win a few games.” – Calvin Johnson

“You didn’t want to bring home anything but an A or a B. To my mom, a C was like an F.” – Calvin Johnson

“There are among us those that would criticize our Confederate ancestors. Would you allow a stranger to come into your house and criticize your little ones? I say it’s not whether we should be ashamed of our fathers and mothers of the Old Confederacy. I say it’s a question of whether they should be ashamed of us.” – Calvin Johnson

“I am here to put out a positive athlete.” – Calvin Johnson

“I like to run the slants. The slants are cool. I like routes where you can catch the ball running.” – Calvin Johnson

“During the season, I dodge the media. After practice, I need to be taking care of my body and recover.” – Calvin Johnson

“I hope to make it [decision] sometime next week. I love the academics at Tech. I can get a great degree there in engineering. Georgia has the ability to win it all next season. I think I can play early at both schools. It’s going to be tough.” – Calvin Johnson

“I’m not going to lie and say that I’m good at Madden. There are some good players out there. There are some good players on the team. I get skunked all of the time.” – Calvin Johnson

“The old people, they struggled, they fought the elements, they fought everything was against them here. The river, the summers, and the heat. So finally when they settled Hurricane there and got the water on that bench, most of them left.” – Calvin Johnson

“I have my own people that make my clothes because it’s hard for me to find stuff that fits.” – Calvin Johnson

“If our next president is a woman, it will be Hilary Clinton and our country will be all the better for it.” – Calvin Johnson

“Hopefully, I can finish my degree before I get done playing and working with my foundation.” – Calvin Johnson

“The outpouring of support from health professionals who want to volunteer for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts has been tremendous.” – Calvin Johnson

“D-Bo had a great game, so now a lot of teams, they’re not sure what to do. They can’t just key on me. They’ve got to key on both of us. D-Bo had a coming-out party.” – Calvin Johnson

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