There was no fax machine this time, no surprise announcement on the eve of training camp.
But just like Barry Sanders did nearly two decades ago, Calvin Johnson is walking away from the NFL and the Detroit Lions on his own terms.
Johnson announced that he is retiring from football in a statement released by the Lions today.
The 30-year-old played nine Hall of Fame-caliber seasons, all in Detroit, and goes down as the best receiver in franchise history.
Johnson led the Lions and finished 10th in the NFL with 1,214 yards receiving this season, but a recent spate of injuries started to wear down his body.