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Julio Jones announces official retirement from the NFL
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Former Alabama superstar and NFL All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones is officially hanging things up after 13 storied years in the league.
A 2-time first-team All-Pro, Jones spent the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles but appeared in just 11 games (4 starts). After not appearing in games during the 2024 season, Jones revealed on social media that he is officially retiring from the NFL.
Jones would go on to thank everyone from his career, dating back to his youth playing days in Alabama and including legendary head coach Nick Saban.
“Today I’m announcing my retirement. Started when I was 8 years old, just a kid from Foley, Alabama. It was an amazing ride,” said Jones. “… I want to say thank all my teammates, Coach Saban was a great father figure for me those 3 years in college. I want to thank Curt Cignetti, my WRs coach, Coach Cochran, strength and conditioning. Just hard work, you know.
Jones was integral to Alabama’s success across 3 seasons in Tuscaloosa, including helping the Crimson Tide capture the 2009 national championship. He is still 6th on Alabama’s all-time list for receiving yards with 2,653.
Once in the NFL, Jones embarked on a legendary career, including 10 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He became one of the most fearsome receivers in the league, 3 times leading the league in receiving yards per game.
At some point, the Pro Football Hall of Fame seems likely in Jones’s future. He was the active leader in career yards (13,703) at the time of his announcement, and he retires No. 5 all-time in receiving yards per game with 82.5. Justin Jefferson is the current leader at 96.5 yards.
Best of luck to Jones as he enters a new phase of life after wrapping up his memorable career.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
