AJ Brown writes a touching tribute for ‘Unc’ Julio Jones following ex-Falcon’s retirement from football

After a short while, Brown penned a touching note for Julio Jones, thanking him for being a hero figure and a mentor to him.

Jones and Brown played together for two different franchises. After spending nine years with the Atlanta Falcons, Jones was traded to the Tennessee Titans along with a 2023 sixth-round draft pick in return for 2022 second-round and 2023 fourth-round picks.

Brown was in his third year with the Titans when Jones joined the team. The two played 10 games together before Brown injured himself and Jones left Tennessee for Tampa Bay the following season.

Jones lasted one year with the Buccaneers before reuniting with AJ Brown at the Philadelphia Eagles. The Titans traded Brown to the Eagles in exchange for the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft and a third-round pick.

The Eagles reached the playoffs to set up a wildcard fixture against the Buccaneers. With just five minutes remaining in the first half, Julio Jones suffered a concussion after colliding with the Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum.

Julio Jones posted a video announcing his retirement from the NFL

After Jones suffered the concussion, the Eagles put him on the protocol. He missed out on the rest of the 2024 season. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers game became the Alabama graduate’s last NFL game. On April 4, 2025, Julio Jones officially announced his retirement from the NFL and professional football.

Today I am announcing my retirement. Started when I was 8 years old. Just a kid from Folley, Alabama. It was an amazing ride. I like to thank my family. To this whole process and my support system… Without them none of this could have been possible.

Julio Jones in a video posted on his Instagram handle

Jones thanked his high school, college, and NFL coaches and teammates, including Nick Saban and Matt Ryan.

Matt Ryan Thank you. I was a lockout at 2011. You went as far as taking to your home, showed me the playbook, going to fields, going through other plays. Thank You. I appreciate you man .

Julio Jones said about Matt Ryan

Jones’ final message was for the city of Atlanta that took him in when he was only 22. And of course, he didn’t forget the three other franchises he represented in the NFL.

I also wanna thank… the other organizations. Tennessee thank you for the opportunity. Tampa, thank you for the opportunity. Eagles thank you for the opportunity… I appreciate you all.

Julio Jones said

Julio Jones’ career statistics

The Falcons drafted Julio Jones sixth overall in 2011. He went on to play 13 seasons for four different organizations (Falcons, Titans, Buccaneers, and Eagles), appearing in a total of 166 NFL games.

Jones recorded 914 receptions for 13,703 receiving yards (15.0 average yards per reception) and 66 receiving touchdowns, along with 11 rushing touchdowns.

2015 was Jones’s best year when he recorded a career-best 136 receptions for 1871 yards and 8 touchdowns. He crossed 1300+ yards in a season six times.

Jones tasted playoff football on 11 occasions. In those games, he had 77 receptions for 992 yards and 7 touchdowns.

In 2016, Jones and the Falcons reached the Super Bowl and took a 28-0 lead against the New England Patriots before blowing the game 34-28. Jones caught a memorable 22-yard catch, which the Washington Post called an ‘iconic catch.’

Julio Jones, in his iconic NFL career, achieved several feats of greatness. He holds the record for most 250+ yards (3) and joint first for 300+ yards. Jones was the fastest to reach 7,000 career receiving yards (tied with Lance Alworth)—fastest to 9,000 (95 games), 10,000 (104 games), 11,000 (115 games), 12,000 (125 games), and 13,000 (137 games).

One of the greatest Falcons retired, and the Gold Jacket is waiting for him in the future.