Calvin Johnson recalls near-career end after middle-school hit

Calvin Johnson Jr., Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, shared a pivotal childhood experience that nearly ended his football career. During a middle-school 45-degree tackling drill, Johnson was struck by a much larger player, which nearly caused him to quit football. He later recalled wanting to turn in his cleats after this incident, which highlighted the challenges he faced before becoming an NFL star known as 'Megatron.' Johnson eventually grew into a standout receiver, achieving significant success in both college at Georgia Tech and in the NFL.

• 10:14 PMYahoo Sports — NFL HOF Recalls Brutal Middle-School Hit That Nearly Ended Career