Julio Jones retires after 13 seasons, leaving behind a legacy as the Falcons’ greatest wide receiver

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Julio Jones, one of the most dominant wide receivers, has retired from the NFL. Jones, who joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2011, thanked the city of Atlanta as he made the announcement on “404 Day.” He holds franchise records in receptions and receiving yards. His career included seven Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors.

Julio Jones, one of the most dominant wide receivers of his generation, officially announced his retirement from the NFL. The 36-year-old made the announcement on “404 Day,” a date symbolically tied to Atlanta’s area code — a nod to the city where his legacy was forged and his greatness truly defined.

“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 was for the city, man, I appreciate you all,” said Julio Jones in an emotional video posted on Squad.

Jones began his NFL journey in 2011 when the Atlanta Falcons boldly traded up to draft him sixth overall. That move would prove to be one of the most significant in franchise history. What followed was a 13-year career filled with jaw-dropping plays, broken records, and a level of consistency that wide receivers seldom maintain. His blend of size, speed, and physicality made him nearly impossible to defend, earning him seven Pro Bowl nods and five All-Pro honors, including two first-team selections.

The stats tell only part of the story. Jones leaves the game as Atlanta’s all-time leader in receptions (848) and receiving yards (12,896), while his 60 touchdown receptions trail only Roddy White in franchise history. But more than the numbers, it was the way Jones performed — with quiet confidence and undeniable dominance — that made him a legend. He holds the record for most 250+ yard games in NFL history and owns the league’s record for five consecutive seasons with over 1,400 receiving yards.

Yet, perhaps no moment captures the essence of Julio Jones better than his unforgettable toe-tapping 27-yard catch in Super Bowl LI. Though the Falcons’ infamous 28-3 lead evaporated in overtime, that catch stood as a testament to his unrelenting excellence on the sport’s biggest stage. That game capped off a postseason in which Jones logged 334 yards and three touchdowns over three games, anchoring Atlanta’s journey to the Super Bowl.

“Started when I was eight years old, just a kid from Foley, Alabama. It was an amazing ride,” Jones reflected, giving heartfelt thanks to his family, coaches, and teammates, including his “father figure” and former college coach Nick Saban, as well as longtime Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan — with whom he formed one of the NFL’s most feared passing duos.

Jones’ career wrapped up with brief stints in Tennessee, Tampa Bay, and most recently, Philadelphia, where he caught four touchdowns in 11 games during the 2023 season. He did not play in 2024, making him eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028 — a destination that now seems inevitable.

Julio Jones’ greatness was not just measured in receptions and yards. It was felt every time he stepped on the field, altered a defensive scheme, or pulled off an awe-inspiring catch in traffic. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of wide receivers who dream of flying high like No. 11 once did in Atlanta.

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