By Loveth 
Julio Jones, the NFL superstar, just announced his retirement in a pretty private way on a random social media platform. After not playing last season, his last stint was with the Philadelphia Eagles. Over his 10-year career with the Atlanta Falcons, he made 5 All-Pro teams, went to 7 Pro Bowls, and led the league in receiving yards twice (2015, 2018). He’s the fastest player ever to hit 10,000 to 13,000 receiving yards, finishing with 13,703 yards, ranking 16th in NFL history.
Before all this NFL fame, Julio was a star at Alabama, helping launch Nick Saban’s dynasty in Tuscaloosa. He was considered one of the most important recruits in Alabama football history, and his decision to join the Tide shifted the program’s entire trajectory. Thanks to Julio’s success, Alabama landed a string of top wide receivers like Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, and Devonta Smith, to name a few.
Saban’s pitch to Julio was bold, saying Alabama would win with or without him. That gamble paid off, and Julio’s decision paved the way for an impressive line of top-tier receivers at Alabama.