AJ Brown Makes Honest Confession About Ex-Teammate Julio Jones’ Retirement As Falcons Legend Hangs Up Cleats After 13 Seasons

The sunset in Atlanta just got a little darker. Like a fading Hail Mary pass slipping through fingertips, the NFL’s landscape lost a titan Friday. Legends don’t always get fairy-tale exits—sometimes, they leave us whispering, ‘Remember when?’

Julio Jones, the Falcons’ human highlight reel, hung up his cleats April 4 after 13 seasons. His retirement video on Squad hit harder than a blindside blitz. The NFL’s active receiving yards leader (13,703) exits as a seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and Atlanta’s forever superhero. Teammate A.J. Brown didn’t hold back on X:

“The best WR to play the game in my book. Taught me how to play the position before we even met… Grateful! You deserve it family. THE HOF AWAITS! Congrats unc”

Atlanta traded five picks in 2011 to grab Jones at No. 6—a gamble sweeter than Georgia peach cobbler. He delivered, torching defenses with 300-yard games (yes, 300—like his 2016 masterpiece against Carolina) and redefining clutch. Yet, his legacy carries a bittersweet tinge: Atlanta’s heartbreak in Super Bowl LI—a loss more crushing than a last-second March Madness buzzer-beater.

Jones’ final stops in Tennessee, Tampa, and Philly felt like victory laps. But his impact? Timeless. Brown, who piled up 1,079 yards this season, credits Julio for shaping his game: “Not every day you get to play with the person that inspired you to play the game.” Imagine Mickey mentoring Mantle—pure sports magic.

With stats stacking higher than BBQ at a tailgate (914 receptions, 66 TDs), Jones’ Canton jacket is a formality. Yet, his true legacy? The kids who watched him soar—then became stars.

This story is unfolding—stay locked in for the latest.

The post AJ Brown Makes Honest Confession About Ex-Teammate Julio Jones’ Retirement As Falcons Legend Hangs Up Cleats After 13 Seasons appeared first on EssentiallySports.