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Julio Jones announces NFL retirement after 13 seasons

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•04/04/25•

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Atlanta Falcons great Julio Jones
© Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

After 13 seasons in the NFL, Julio Jones is walking away. The seven-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement via social media Friday.

Jones spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Falcons, where he became one of the great receivers in franchise history. He led the NFL in receptions in 2015 and led the league in receiving yards twice, doing so in 2015 and 2018. He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro selection in 2015 and 2016.

The Falcons selected Jones with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Alabama, where won a national championship as a sophomore in 2009. He also played for the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles after leaving Atlanta, spending one season with each franchise. Jones last played a game in 2023 with the Eagles.

“Today, I’m announcing my retirement,” Jones said in a video posted to the social media app Squad. “I started when I was eight years old, just a kid from Foley, Alabama. It was an amazing ride. I’d like to thank my family. Through this whole process, was my support system. Without them, none of this could’ve been possible.

“I want to thank my teammates in high school. … Then, on to college, man, again, I want to say thank you to all my teammates. Coach [Nick] Saban was a great father figure for me for those three years in college. I want to thank Coach [Curt] Cignetti, my receiver coach. Coach [Scott] Cochran, strength and conditioning. Just hard work. I know hard work is, but just needed the guidance to hone it to be the best version of myself.”

In addition to thanking his teammates, as well as his high school coaches who converted him from running back to wide receiver, Julio Jones also offered a message to his former quarterback, Matt Ryan. Jones entered the league in the midst of a lockout, and Ryan took him under his wing to get him ready for life in the NFL.

Jones also made the announcement on 404 Day in Atlanta. He called it a way to honor the city in which he spent the majority of his career and became home.

“From there, man, I want to thank my teammates in the league, as well,” Jones said. “Matt Ryan, thank you. It was a lockout in 2011. You went as far as taking me to your home, showing me the playbook, going to fields, going over plays. Thank you. I appreciate you, man. … I’m making this announcement today because of the city of Atlanta.

“Thank you, man. I appreciate y’all. It’s nothing but love. I’m doing this on 404 Day. It was a hell of a ride. … This is for the city, man. I appreciate y’all.”

On the whole, Jones finished his career with 13,703 receiving yards and 66 touchdowns. Of those stats, 12,896 yards and 60 of those touchdowns came as a Falcon, where he especially made his mark.