Calvin Johnson declines to confirm retirement reports

Detroit Lions all-pro wide receiver and Georgia Tech great Calvin Johnson was ready to be seen out in public. But he wasn’t quite ready to address reports that he has told the Lions that he plans to retire.

As he left Tech’s basketball game Tuesday night against Duke at McCamish Pavilion, Johnson turned down an interview request, saying “Not right now.” Asked if he could confirm his plans to retire, Johnson again declined to comment, responding “Not right now.”

Johnson attended the game with his former quarterback and Yellow Jackets teammate Taylor Bennett, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. When Johnson’s image was shown on the arena video board, the sellout crowd rose in an ovation.