Atlanta Falcon’s big Julio Jones announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons on Friday.
Jones, 36, is Falcons’ franchisee in receptions (848) and receiving yards (12,896) and is second to only Roddy White in Touchdowns (60).
“I am announcing my pension. I started when I was 8 years old from Foley, Alabama. It was a fantastic trip,” Jones wrote in a statement.
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File – Atlanta Falcons Wide Receives Julio Jones (11) in action during the game between Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons at the US Bank Stadium on October 18, 2020. (Jeffrey Becker-usa Today Sports)
“I would like to thank my family throughout this process as my support system. With them none of this could have been possible.”
Jones was prepared with No. 6 overall election in the NFL draft in 2011 by Falcons out of Alabama. He played 10 seasons with Falcons and was named Pro-Bowl seven times and was an all-pro-committee five times.
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File – Atlanta Falcon’s wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs towards the final zone for a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles’ Free Security Rodney McLeod (23) during the second half of an NFL football match, Sunday 15 September 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Jones spent one season each with Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles after his 10-year-old ran with Falcons. Jones played at the end of 2023 with Eagles and did not play in 2024.
Jones caught 914 passports in 13,703 yards and 66 touchdowns over his NFL career.
File -Atlanta Falcon’s wide receives Julio Jones (11) Diver past Washington Redskins Free Security Ha Ha Clinton -dix (20) and into the final zone of a touchdown in the second half of a NFL football match, Sunday 4 November 2018, in Landover, MD. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
“I’m giving this message today because of the city of Atlanta,” Jones said in his statement. “Thank you man. I appreciate that you are. It’s nothing but love. I do this in 404 days – it was a hell of a trip. … this was for the city, man, I value you all.”
“Will also thank the other ball clubs out there too, organizations. Tennessee, thank you for the opportunity. Tampa, thank you for the opportunity. Eagles, thanks for the opportunity.”
