Future NFL Hall of Famer Julio Jones has announced he is retiring from the sport at the age of 36.
The legendary wide receiver, a seven-time Pro Bowler, played mainly for the Atlanta Falcons during his NFL career, before stints with the Titans, Bucs and Eagles.
He announced the news on social media app Squad with an emotional video message to his fans, after not finding a team in the 2024 season.
Sitting alone in his home, Jones begins the video by revealing: ‘Today I am announcing my retirement. 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 [they were] my support system and without them none of this could have been possible.’
He went on to thank his teammates over the years, coaches who turned him from a running back to receiver in college, and Alabama’s legendary Nick Saban – who he calls a ‘father figure’.
Julio Jones has announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 incredible seasons
Jones was drafted No 6 overall by the Falcons in the 2011 Draft, and went on to play eight seasons in Atlanta, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2016 when he lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots.
He will go down as one of the greatest receivers in NFL history and is almost certain to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
He accumulated the 13th-most receiving yards of all-time, totaling 13,703, and regularly led the league during his playing career.
Continuing his retirement video, Jones said: ‘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.’
404 Day is an unofficial holiday honoring the city’s culture, celebrated on April 4th and named after its iconic area code.
Choking back tears, Jones adds: ‘It’s been a hell of a ride. I also wanted to thank the other ball clubs as well, Tennessee, Tampa, Eagles… thank you for the opportunity.’
Jones also holds numerous NFL all-time records, including the most games with 250 WR yards, and the fastest player ever to reach 13,000 WR yards.
He is a two-time First Team All Pro, and was included in the NFL’s 2010s All Decade Team.
