Barry Sanders: Calvin Johnson retiring 'would be devastating'

Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders is among the many hoping Calvin Johnson will opt to continue his illustrious NFL career.

"I feel like I'm stunned a little bit like most people," Sanders said Saturday before the NFL honors, according to Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News. "I feel like around June, we'll give him until June or so, and then we should start knocking on his door."

Sanders, of course, knows all about the career move the Detroit Lions wide receiver is thought to be contemplating. He shocked the football world by retiring after the 1998 season, just 10 years into his career with the Lions.

"It would certainly be difficult," Sanders said. "He's given a lot to our organization and our team and such a great player and one of those guys you just love having in your organization. Hey, it would be devastating, no question about it."

Lions president Rod Wood told reporters Friday he's spoken with Johnson, but the team intends to give him time to reach a decision on his own terms.