Julio Jones announces NFL retirement

Flowery Branch, Ga. – A legend has hung up its crampons.

The former Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones officially announced that he was retiring from the NFL on Friday, April 4. Jones teased his announcement on Instagram and published his complete video on another social media application called Squad.

“I am making this announcement today because of the city of Atlanta,” said Jones in the video. “Thank you, guy. I appreciate you all. It’s nothing other than love. I do this on the 404 day.”

Jones was initially drafted from the University of Alabama by Falcons in 2011 with the overall choice n ° 6.

In order to obtain Jones, Atlanta concluded a massive agreement with the Cleveland Browns. The Falcons have thrilled a total of five draft choices, including their overall choice n ° 27 for this year, in exchange for overall choice n ° 6.

The story surrounding the Falcons made the decision even more interesting. The team already had the broad receiver of the Pro Bowl, Roddy White, at the time, and many experts expected that Falcons used their first -round choice on a defensive side.

However, Atlanta came from a defeat of 48-21 against the Green Bay packers in Semedi sixth during the division tour. The Falcons had been the seeded n ° 1, but they were unable to correspond to the firepower of the packers and knew that their attack needed another equipment. Enter Jones, which has become – and remains – the best written wide receiver in the history of Falcons.

“We knew that it was going to be an aggressive decision and will cost us,” said the former director general of Falcons, Thomas Dimitroff, on April 28, 2011. “As an organization, we are very strong from the decision for a player who really adds explosive and urgent athletics that we are looking for to improve this team.”

And the aggressive move has paid off.

Jones then had a historic career for the Falcons between 2011 and 20, totaling a franchise record 12,896 reception yards with 60 affected in 134 games. He also exceeded Jerry Rice as the fastest player in the history of the NFL to reach 12,000 reception yards during the 2019 season. During his 10 -year race in Atlanta, Jones totaled more reception yards, yards after capture and the first decreases of a reception than any other player in the League.

GALLERY: 10 largest performance by Julio Jones

At the end of his race with the Falcons, Jones held several franchise records:

• 12,896 – Most reception sites (career)
• 1,871 – Most reception yards (only one season, 2015)
• 848 – Most receptions (career)
• 300 – Most reception yards in a match (week 4, 2016)
• 182 – Most reception projects (qualifying match; NFC Championship, 2013)
• 136 – Most receptions (only one season, 2015)
• 58 – Most reception games of 100 yards (career)
• 9 – Most 100 yards matches in one season (2015 and 2018)
• 3 – Most seasons with 100 catches (career)
• 3 – Most games with 250 reception yards or more (career)

The Falcons played four appearances in the playoffs while Jones was in Atlanta, which even made the Super Bowl during the 2016 season. Jones was an essential part of the success of his team, but there were many others who contributed to the achievements of the Falcons – and he knows.

“I also want to thank my teammates in the league,” said Jones in the video. “Matt Ryan, thank you. It was a lockout in 2011. You went so far as to take me to your home, showing me the game book, going to the fields, passing by games. Thank you. I appreciate it, Mec. Roddy (White). Harry (Douglas). I am completely.

“Once again, Roddy, Harry, tears me up with a receiver, being a pro. Again, thank you all. You all my brothers forever. Thank you. I appreciate you.”