WEST PALM BEACH, FL, December 23, 2012 – Calvin Johnson continued his spectacular season last night, breaking the NFL’s record for single-season receiving yards.
The sparkling Johnson surpassed the 1,848 yard record held by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice with a 26 yard reception from quarterback Matt Stafford in the fourth quarter. Johnson now has 1,892 yards for the year, and is not yet finished with his season. Next week, Detroit – and Johnson – play the Chicago Bears at home in their season finale.
In an emotional moment after the record catch, Johnson ran to the sidelines and handed the ball to his father, Calvin Johnson, Sr. After the game, his father said, “You imagine great things, but how can you imagine this?”
Although the Atlanta Falcons definitively defeated the Detroit Lions 31-18 in their Saturday night game and clinched the top spot in the NFC, Johnson’s performance gave Detroit fans at least some small solace.
The big receiver, known as a hard worker, also broke a second record Saturday night, winning the most consecutive 100-yard receiving games. Johnson has eight 100-yard games in a row, and an astounding 11 100-yard games this season.
Detroit has been plagued by injuries this season, making Johnson the only real target for Stafford. Johnson is also the primary focus of the opponent’s defense, making the records all the more impressive.
Next week, Johnson will try to become the first NFL receiver to ever reach 2,000 yards in a single season.
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