Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has officially retired from the NFL after a storied 13-year career. The decision comes at the age of 36, marking the end of an era for the team that drafted him first overall in 2011.
Jones, who holds numerous franchise records with the Falcons, including most receiving yards, receptions, and 100-yard games, announced his retirement through a video post on social media, thanking his teammates, coaches, and the city of Atlanta. The announcement also referenced the “404 day” concept, where he joked about retiring on April 4.
Throughout his career, Jones had an impressive run with the Falcons, totaling 12,896 receiving yards, 60 touchdowns, and four Pro Bowl appearances. He also surpassed Jerry Rice as the fastest player in NFL history to reach 12,000 receiving yards during the 2019 season.
Jones’s accolades extend beyond his time with the Falcons, including being named a Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team and an NFL Top 100 player six times. His retirement marks the end of a remarkable journey for the Alabama native, who began playing football at age 8.
Jones spent several seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Falcons in 2011. He last played in 2023 before announcing his retirement.
Source: https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/julio-jones-announces-retirement-from-nfl