Atlanta Falcons legend Julio Jones has officially announced his retirement from professional football, calling time on his career after 13 years in the NFL.
Jones did not sign with a team last season after leaving the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, but he had not technically retired until he released a statement on Friday: “Today I’m announcing my retirement. Started when I was 8 years old, just a kid from Foley, Alabama. It was an amazing ride.”
“I’m making this announcement today because of the city of Atlanta,” Jones said in video posted online. “Thank you, man. I appreciate y’all. It’s nothing but love. I’m doing this on 404 day.”
April 4 is known as ’404 Day’ in Atlanta, a local celebration of the city’s culture. Jones was drafted by the Falcons as the sixth overall pick at the 2011 NFL Draft and he went on to spend a decade with the team. During his time in Atlanta he developed into one of the best receivers in the league and led the NFL for receiving yards in 2015 and 2018.
his 2016 performances helped lead the Falcons to Super Bowl LIjust the franchise’s second appearance in a championship game. However Atlanta lost out to a Tom Brady-inspired New England Patriots after a stunning second half comeback. That was to be Jones’ closest brush with a championship ring but he retires as a bona fide NFL legend.
In April 2020 Jones was announced as a unanimous selection for the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Teamhighlighting his reputation in the game. He ends his time in the NFL with a total of 13,703 receiving yards, the 16th-most in league history. He also holds the NFL record for most games with 250+ receiving yards and is one of only six players to have recorded 300 in a single game.
Having now called time on his illustrious career, his next destination may well be Canton, Ohio to take his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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