Calvin Johnson discusses his experience in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and how difficult it was to write his induction speech. (1:15).DETROIT (Mich.) -- Matthew Stafford recalls Calvin Johnson's 329 yard performance against the Dallas Cowboys, Oct. 27, 2013.Stafford recalled, "There were so many great moves in that game but his ability to compete until the end was the best part."Johnson's first quarter slant, which he took for 87 yard, was the catalyst. Megatron, a wideout who is known for his combination of speed and size, was able to catch 13 more balls to become the second-highest single game receiving yardage in NFL history. This surpasses Willie "Flipper", Anderson's 336-yard record in 1989.Stafford said that it was an incredible experience to play with someone like him. "From the beginning, I knew I was going to throw to a Hall of Famer so long as he was healthy."Stafford was correct.Johnson will be one of eight inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of Class of 2021 on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPNHis legendary career included many memorable performances, including being the Lions' all time leader in receiving yards (731), receiving touchdowns (83) and receiving yards (11.6099) The most memorable performance was the one against Dallas in October, when the Lions made a huge comeback to defeat "America's Team" 31-30 at Ford Field in the Motor City.Johnson ranks that performance among his top three games over his nine-year career. This weekend, Johnson joins Gale Sayers and Jim Brown as the only player to ever enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the age of 35.Megatron was at his peak, and anyone who was there got to experience something very special. Megatron's 2013 match against Dallas was just one example of why he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer."It's thrilling that he is going into the Hall of Fame. "He's very deserving," Barry Sanders, a Lions legend and fellow Hall of Famer, told ESPN. He was a dominant player and receiver when he played.ESPN sat down with the people who were there, including the man who "covered Johnson" that day, to tell the story of one the greatest games of all time.Many memorable performances were made by Calvin Johnson during his Hall of Fame career. One of his greatest performances was against Dallas in October 2013. Andrew Weber/USA TODAY SportsInspirationDez Bryant, Cowboys receiver, made a Monday radio interview on ESPN 103.3 FM in Dallas. Bryant didn't mean to be disrespectful, but he said that he was not willing to call Johnson NFL's best wide receiver before their match at Ford Field on Sunday.Bryant stated, "I believe that I can do anything he can do." It's a pride thing. Football is more than just playing on the field. It's about mindset and mentality."I truly believe that when I get there, there will be no limits to what I can do. I will do whatever the coaches ask. "I always feel that there is more."These comments quickly spread to the Lions' Allen Park training facility. Johnson seemed to ignore them, even though he appeared to be outwardly oblivious, even after hearing about them from local media. Johnson, instead, anticipated Dallas' game plan and visualized how they would defend him. He also imagined how he would attack Brandon Carr, the Cowboys cornerback who would be covering Johnson for most of the day."I only remember Calvin in practice. Rob Sims, Lions left guard, said that he was very quiet. He didn't say much but was going about his business. It was one of those moments when you realize that you are truly in the G.O.A.T's presence, to watch him play in that game as he did.Johnson kept the same pregame routine when Sunday arrived. Johnson arrived at the field three hours before kickoff in order to be comfortable and remove all distractions. To visualize his plans, he walked around the field and imagined all the routes and blocks he would take.It was then game on.Johnson stated, "I let my mind sink in to focus on what I had done."Brandon Carr, a Michigan native, dived with an unstoppable Johnson. AP Photo/Rick OsentoskiHow to enter the zoneJohnson caught his first catch with just 2:44 left in the quarter. This set the stage for Johnson's near-record-breaking day.Carr was matched up with Johnson on a slant route, fueled by the adrenaline from more than 64,000 cheering fans. Carr didn't know it, but Dallas' No. The future Hall of Famer was helped by the fact that 39 defended Johnson during that play.Johnson took two steps when the ball was snapped at the Detroit 10 on 2nd and 10, bounced off Carr’s attempted jam, and then snagged Stafford a short pass behind Cowboy linebackers who had tried to play on Reggie Bush's play fake. Johnson's strength and speed soon took control. Johnson was able to easily shed a Carr tackle at 25 yards and then outran the Dallas defense before being angled at the 5.Johnson stated that Johnson told himself that he thought this could be a 200-yard day after the play of 87 yards. Johnson had used his mental yardage tracker over the years to help him determine this number.Johnson stated that Brandon's aggressive nature was something that I appreciated on certain routes. Johnson agreed that Johnson liked the contact at the top of certain routes, which Johnson described as a "slant" route. "I love the contact at the top of my slant route. You make me feel a lot heavier so I can bounce off you. That's what happened. He gave me a stiff upper arm and I burst out."Carr was able to make it a bit of a return home with many of his friends and family at Ford Field. He was born in Flint, Michigan and was a fifth round pick from Division II Grand Valley State.Brandon is a strong player and I have played him a few times. He's very sticky, so I have a lot of respect for him. But, at the time, I don't remember knowing he was from Flint. Johnson laughed. Johnson laughed.Carr, at 6'5" and 210 lbs, was assigned the difficult task of protecting Johnson, a rare talent at 6'5" and 237 lb.Sims stared in amazement at Johnson as the yardage and catches piled up."Probably because that is why you call him Megatron. Sims stated that he had the mirror-face [mask] on." Sims said, "The dude's veins were popping out and he wasn't saying anything. He's killing the boys out there."Carr worked tirelessly to prepare for Johnson during the week leading up to the game. He spent hours studying film to ensure his position was correct.While Dallas' coaches referred to Johnson as the "nameless receiver", as they do with all top wideouts, Carr knew Johnson was a difficult challenge."This guy is a freak. He can run a 4.3 at 50 yards. His quarterback has a helluva arm, Stafford, right? Stafford is a beast of an athlete, and this guy can leap 40 inches with a single step. Carr stated. Carr said. We did not do a good job of explaining where this man was on every play, and he made us all pay.Johnson was able to catch many of Stafford's dimes, especially during the second half, and also enjoyed a lot more one-on-one coverage. The Cowboys tried to slow him down by giving him a zone but Johnson won the battle and entered a new type of zone.Johnson stated that it's easy to lose your eyes and fall off the ball, but once you get into the zone, muscle memory is a big part of what makes you feel good. It's easy to get into the zone when you've practiced it many times. That's why I think comfortability is a key part of being in that zone. It allows you to be present in the moment, regardless of what you have done in preparation.The Lions trailed 10-7 at halftime and had to overcome a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Stafford completed a 17-yard pass to Johnson in the middle for 56 seconds. Johnson then caught Stafford on a 22-yard pass completion with 33 seconds remaining. Stafford made a fake clock-stopping spike and then jumped over the goal line to score the winning touchdown."Calvin Johnson has been the greatest NFL receiver ever!" Bush tweeted #dropsthemic after the game.Megatron's devastation of the Cowboys set a number franchise and league records. Johnson's 14 receptions were tied for the most in one game in Lions history. Johnson also received his fifth reception of over 200 yards in the game, which tied him for the most receiving games since 1950. Unbelievable seven of his receptions were at least 20 yards. This tied him for the record for most receiving yards in a single game over the past twenty years.Johnson's connection to Stafford, who threw 488 yards, the second-highest single game total of his career, drew most attention. However, Johnson was aware that his teammates were positioning him for success, despite eight penalties.The feat was possible thanks to strong blocking and the team effort of those around him.Johnson spoke out about Stafford, who was successful in 33 of 48 attempts. "He was throwing the balls at the heads of DBs, but we were catching them."Johnson and Matthew Stafford, the Cowboys' quarterback, teamed up 14 times to gain 329 yards during the 31-30 victory. Leon Halip/Getty ImagesThe aftermathThe Lions improved their record to 5-3 by defeating the Cowboys at Detroit. Johnson was able to think of nothing but shutting down his auntie, a big Cowboys fan.Johnson didn't need to comment on Bryant's pregame remarks. He just let his actions speak for themselves. Bryant played well, scoring two touchdowns from three receptions for 72 yards. However, their play was not comparable. Bryant screamed at Tony Romo, Cowboys' quarterback, during the third quarter. He had not been made the intended receiver for a play he described later as positive emotion.Johnson laughed at Bryant's comment and said "Ofcourse, it adds some gunpowder." It just adds fuel to the fire, and it makes that fire bigger when they have to deal with it. Johnson laughed at Bryant's statement.Jim Schwartz, the Lions coach, gave Johnson a ball and informed him of the official yardage total. He received a flood of texts and phone calls from family and friends, who poured in their congratulations. He spent his post-game time by himself, taking a refreshing bath at home before rewatching the highlights on the TV screen.Johnson said to himself, "That was a lot running today."Carr was amazed at the number of Johnson plays. Johnson was targeted 16 times. Johnson wasn't as easy to cover than other receivers. Carr found Johnson's official yardage total after the game on the team bus.Carr stated, "Just after the match, I went through the preparations and the game. And I was like, "Damn, we didn’t give him enough credit." We don't fear him but we must give him credit and acknowledge his true nature so that we can get our minds ready to face Megatron forces head-on.Carr now calls Johnson "one the greatest to do it ever" and hopes that others will do so. He will never forget being a witness to the performance.Carr stated that Randy Moss told coaches to find 6-foot cornerbacks with long wingspan like him. Then Calvin arrived and made it difficult for the same prospects.
