Calvin Johnson retired in March after nine seasons in the NFL and, for the first time since the announcement, he’s opening up about the realities the league’s players face while playing through injuries.
The former Detroit Lions receiver didn’t spare any details on what it takes to play in the league. Whether it was popping painkillers like candy or battling through concussions, he did whatever it took to get on the field each week and eventually he had enough.
In an interview with ESPN’s Michael Smith, Johnson admitted that players could easily get their hands on painkillers, even on the sidelines during a game.
“If you were hurting, then you could get ’em, you know. It was nothing. I mean, if you needed Vicodin, call out, ‘My ankle hurt,’ you know. ‘I need, I need it. I can’t, I can’t play without it,’ or something like that. It was simple. That’s how easy it was to get ’em, you know. So if you were dependent on ’em, they were readily available.” Johnson told Smith during the E:60 interview.
As for the team doctors, Johnson said he has a lot of respect for what they do, but it’s important to keep in mind who the medical staffs work for.
“They’re some good people, you know. They want to see you do good. But at the same time, they work for the team, you know. They’re trying to do whatever they can to get you back on the field and make your team look good. So if it’s not gonna make the team look good, or if you’re not gonna be on the field, then they’re tryin’ to do whatever they can to make that happen.”
Johnson also believes that he played through his fair share of concussions during his nine seasons in the NFL, despite never being officially diagnosed with one.
“If not on every play, then they happen like every other, every third play, you know. With all the helmet contact, guys hitting the ground, heads hitting ground. It’s simply when your brain touches your skull from the movement or the inertia, man. It’s simple to get a concussion, you know. I don’t know how many I’ve had over my career, you know, but I’ve definitely had my fair share.”
Despite playing in only nine seasons, Johnson was named to six Pro Bowls and was a three-time first team All-Pro. He holds the NFL record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,946.
