On April 4, 2025, the NFL community paused to celebrate the retirement of one of its most electrifying wide receivers, Julio Jones. After 13 seasons of jaw-dropping plays, record-breaking performances, and a legacy that screams Hall of Fame, the seven-time Pro Bowler called it a career. Amid the tributes, the NFL’s official X account (
@NFL) shared a throwback moment that perfectly encapsulates why Jones will always be remembered as a game-changer: a “filthy” touchdown catch that left fans—and defenders—speechless. Let’s dive into that iconic play and reflect on the career of a true NFL legend.
The Moment That Defined Greatness
The image posted by the NFL on April 4, 2025, captures Julio Jones in his Atlanta Falcons prime, wearing his signature No. 11 jersey, soaring through the air with the football in his grasp. The caption reads, “never forget this filthy
@juliojones_11 TD ,” and it’s easy to see why this moment resonates. Jones, known for his 6’3”, 220-pound frame and blazing 4.3 speed, makes an acrobatic catch in traffic—a testament to the ball skills that made him a nightmare for defenses.
While the exact game isn’t specified in the post, this type of play echoes the kind of magic Jones brought to the field throughout his tenure with the Falcons, where he spent 10 of his 13 NFL seasons. One can’t help but draw parallels to his first career touchdown on November 6, 2011, against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. In that game, Jones hauled in a 50-yard post route from quarterback Matt Ryan, outmuscling three defenders in mid-air. The catch was initially ruled incomplete, but a challenge from then-Falcons coach Mike Smith overturned the call, cementing the first of Jones’ 66 career touchdown receptions. As Falcons color analyst Dave Archer noted at the time, “When you’ve got a 6-3, 220-pound receiver who runs 4.3 that can make those kind of grabs, it doesn’t matter who’s down through the middle.”
The touchdown in the NFL’s post likely hails from a similar high-stakes moment, showcasing Jones’ ability to dominate in the red zone. Fans on X were quick to react, with
@OptimusKevTron1 proclaiming, “Julio Jones will always be one of the greats,” and
@Killa11211 asserting, “Julio top 5.” The play is a microcosm of what made Jones special: his combination of size, speed, and hands that could pluck the ball out of the air like it was magnetized.
A Career Worth Celebrating
The timing of the NFL’s post couldn’t have been more fitting, as it came on the same day Jones announced his retirement via the app Squad. At 36 years old, the former Alabama standout leaves behind a legacy that few can rival. Over his 13-year career, Jones amassed 914 receptions, 13,703 receiving yards, and 66 touchdowns. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections, five All-Pro honors, and a spot on the NFL’s All-2010s Team. Perhaps most impressively, he became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 receiving yards, a testament to his consistency and dominance.
Jones’ impact was most profound with the Atlanta Falcons, where he became the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (848) and receiving yards (12,896). His partnership with quarterback Matt Ryan was legendary, producing six seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards and at least six touchdowns. In 2015, Jones led the NFL with 1,871 receiving yards and tied Antonio Brown with 136 receptions. A year later, he played a pivotal role in the Falcons’ run to Super Bowl LI, hauling in nine passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers.
Though injuries hampered his later years—particularly after leaving Atlanta in 2021 for stints with the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles—Jones remained a productive force. His final season in 2023 with the Eagles saw him catch 11 passes for 74 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games, a quiet but fitting end to a remarkable career.
The Road to Canton
As tributes poured in on X, the consensus was clear: Julio Jones is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Eligible for induction in 2030, Jones’ resume stacks up against the all-time greats. His 95.5 career receiving yards per game is the highest in NFL history, nine yards ahead of second-place Calvin Johnson. He also holds the record for most seasons (five) averaging 100-plus yards per game and has more 100-yard receiving games (58) than all Titans pass catchers combined over the last decade.
Comparing him to his contemporaries, Jones stands tall. An X post from
@_MLFootball on April 4, 2025, put his retirement in perspective, noting the end of an era for wide receivers who defined the 2010s: “Antonio Brown is gone. Julio Jones is gone. Calvin Johnson is gone… Many people’s childhoods are officially over.” While debates will rage about where Jones ranks among the likes of Brown, Johnson, and Jerry Rice, his impact is undeniable. As
@AtlantaFalcons tweeted, “Julio Jet Jones Congratulations on your retirement,
@juliojones_11!”
A Lasting Legacy
Reflecting on that “filthy” touchdown, it’s clear why Julio Jones left such an indelible mark on the NFL. Whether it was his first touchdown in 2011, a record-setting 2015 season, or a highlight-reel catch like the one shared by the NFL, Jones played with a rare combination of grace and ferocity. Off the field, his professionalism and leadership earned him respect league-wide, with teammates like Roddy White calling his 2011 catch “one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
As Jones steps into retirement, the NFL loses a generational talent, but his legacy will live on through moments like the one captured in that viral X post. For fans, players, and analysts alike, the question isn’t if Julio Jones will be enshrined in Canton, but how soon. Until then, we’ll keep replaying those highlight catches—because plays like that are impossible to forget.