Detroit Lions induct Calvin Johnson into ring of honor at halftime of Monday Night Football

Calvin Johnson is now forever enshrined as one of the Detroit Lions franchise legends.

The Lions inducted Johnson into the Pride of the Lions ring of honor at halftime of Detroit's Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks . Johnson was inducted three years after being a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Johnson was introduced by owner Sheila Hamp to a massive ovation from the Ford Field crowd.

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"Calvin Johnson Jr. defined an era of Lions football," Hamp said. "In doing so, he established himself as the greatest wide receiver in Lions history."

Johnson, the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft, is the Lions franchise leader in receptions (731), receiving yards (11,619) and receiving touchdowns (83) over a nine-year career. He was nicknamed "Megatron" because of his impressive athleticism at 6 feet 5 and 239 pounds. He produced so many signature moments, like his catch through a triple team against the Bengals, going for 329 yards against the Cowboys or going off against the Saints in the playoffs.

Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, shortly addressed the crowd and thanked them for their unwavering support throughout his career, along with the Lions organization and his former teammates.

"I thank God for my family, thank God for this organization," Johnson said. "I thank God for you, the fans that held us accountable from 0-16 to where we are today. I thank God for my beautiful wife and family keeping me here in Michigan with you guys right now. Thank you to Miss Sheila, thank you to all my brethren behind me."

Johnson was at odds with the team after retiring for a time but that relationship has been repaired in recent years and now Johnson is a common face to see at the Lions team facilities. There were nearly 100 former Lions players in attendance at Ford Field to watch Johnson be honored, including fellow ring of honor member Barry Sanders. It was a full-circle moment for Hamp, who was booed by Lions fans after Johnson was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame.

"His accomplishments on the field made him a legend but his commitment to Detroit after his retirement has solidified his status as a hero," Hamp said to big cheers. "His name will live forever in Lions history and inside Ford Field."

The Lions played a tribute video with one minute left in the first half featuring current and past Lions players like Sanders, Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and general manager Brad Holmes.

"Congratulations on your induction into the Pride of the Lions," Sanders said in the video.

They played a second tribute video at halftime with more of his former Lions teammates, including current head coach Dan Campbell. Campbell said Johnson was a perfect teammate and person to represent the franchise.

"I love you man," Campbell said in the video. "You are a stud. You deserve this man."

and thanked them for their unwavering support from the lows at the beginning of his career all the way until the team's success now. He finished his speech with a simple message to finish Monday night with a win over the Seahawks.

"Let's get this win tonight," Johnson said to a last round of cheers.

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press covering the city's professional teams, the state's two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22 , and email him at jramsey@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions induct Calvin Johnson into ring of honor at halftime of Monday Night Football