Nicknamed “Megatron” for his 6-foot-5, 237-pound frame and larger-than-life athleticism, Calvin Johnson was a transformative football player that began his stardom at Sandy Creek High School. Johnson was a three-year starter for the Fighting Patriots and became the highest-rated prospect in the state for the Class of 2004. He signed with Georgia Tech—where he made the case for the best player in Yellow Jackets’ history. Johnson earned ACC Rookie of the Year, was a two-time All-American and earned ACC Player of the Year as a junior. He finished his three-year collegiate career with a school-record 2,927 receiving yards and 28 touchdown receptions and was drafted with the second-overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Johnson’s impact was immediate and he became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 11,000 yards (127 games) and set numerous franchise and league records, including most seasons with 1,600 yards (two), most yards in a single season (1,964 in 2012) and most 100-yard games in a single season (11). Sandy Creek retired Johnson’s No. 81 on Oct. 22, 2010 and he was inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Three years later on Feb. 6, 2021, Johnson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
