History of Julio Jones in Timeline

Julio Jones is an American professional football wide receiver renowned for his achievements in the 2010s. He played college football at the University of Alabama, winning a national championship in 2009. Jones was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft and is considered among the best wide receivers of his era.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

February 8, 1989: Julio Jones Born

On February 8, 1989, Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones Jr. was born. He later became a professional football wide receiver.

Others born on this day/year

1998: Falcons Receiving Tandem

In 1998, Tony Martin and Terance Mathis achieved a 1,000-yard receiving tandem for the Falcons, a feat that Jones and Roddy White later replicated in 2012.

2002: Mention of Marvin Harrison's 2002 Season

In 2002, Marvin Harrison recorded 143 receptions for the Indianapolis Colts, surpassing Julio Jones's 2015 record for the Falcons, to become the fourth-highest in NFL history.

2005: All-county Selection

In 2005, Julio Jones was named All-county selection.

2006: State Champion in Long Jump and Triple Jump

In 2006, Julio Jones was the state champion in the long jump and triple jump and was named the 2006–07 Gatorade T&F Athlete of the Year in the state of Alabama.

2007: Track and Field Achievements

In 2007, Julio Jones was the state champion in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump. He won Mr. Alabama Track & Field athlete of the year.

February 6, 2008: Commitment to Alabama Crimson Tide

On February 6, 2008, Julio Jones committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide on National Signing Day.

2008: Personal Best in 100-meter dash

In 2008, Julio Jones competed as a sprinter and posted a personal-best time of 11.13 seconds in the 100-meter dash.

2008: Freshman Season at Alabama

In 2008, Julio Jones started as a true freshman wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide and led all receivers with 58 receptions for 924 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.

2009: Increased Production in Sophomore Season

During the second half of the 2009 season, Julio Jones's production increased, contributing to key victories and an undefeated regular season for Alabama.

2009: National Championship

In 2009, Julio Jones won a national championship while playing college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

2010: Junior Season at Alabama

During the 2010 season, Julio Jones recorded 221 receiving yards against Tennessee and had his first collegiate game with two receiving touchdowns against Georgia State.

2010: BCS National Championship

In 2010, Julio Jones and the Crimson Tide won the BCS National Championship against the Texas Longhorns.

2010: First-Team All-SEC Selection

In 2010, Julio Jones was a first-team All-SEC selection.

January 7, 2011: Declares for NFL Draft

On January 7, 2011, Julio Jones decided to forgo his senior season and declared eligibility for the 2011 NFL draft.

July 28, 2011: Signs with Atlanta Falcons

On July 28, 2011, Julio Jones signed a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons worth $16.2 million.

2011: Capital One Bowl Victory

In 2011, Julio Jones played his final collegiate game in the Capital One Bowl against Michigan State, contributing to a 49–7 victory.

2011: NFL Draft

In 2011, Julio Jones was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round (sixth overall) of the NFL draft.

2011: Drafted by Atlanta Falcons

In 2011, The Atlanta Falcons selected Julio Jones with the sixth overall pick of the NFL Draft.

2012: Mention of Calvin Johnson's 2012 Season

In 2012, Calvin Johnson recorded 1,964 receiving yards for the Detroit Lions, surpassing Julio Jones's 2015 record for the Falcons, to become the second-highest in NFL history.

2012: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2012, Julio Jones recorded 1,198 receiving yards and ten touchdowns and was named to his first Pro Bowl.

2012: Falcons Trade for Jones

In 2012, the Falcons traded five draft picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up and draft Julio Jones in the 2011 NFL Draft.

2012: Successful 2012 Regular Season

In the 2012 regular season, Jones recorded 79 receptions for 1,198 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, marking his first season exceeding 1,000 receiving yards and setting a career high in single-season touchdown receptions.

October 7, 2013: Fractured Foot and Season Out

On October 7, 2013, Julio Jones fractured his foot during a Week 5 Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets. He was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the 2013 season after having 8 receptions for 99 yards in that game.

2013: Injury-Plagued Season

In 2013, Julio Jones experienced an injury-plagued season where he only played five games.

2013: Selected for the 2013 Pro Bowl

In 2013, Julio Jones was selected for the Pro Bowl, marking his first Pro Bowl nomination. He and Roddy White were the first 1,000-yard receiving tandem for the Falcons since 1998. He was also ranked 26th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

April 29, 2014: Fifth-Year Option Exercised

On April 29, 2014, the Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on Julio Jones's rookie contract, extending his tenure with the team through the 2015 season.

2014: Consecutive Pro Bowl Selection

From 2014, Julio Jones was invited to six consecutive Pro Bowls.

August 29, 2015: Signed 5-Year Contract Extension

On August 29, 2015, Julio Jones signed a 5-year, $71.5 million contract extension with the Falcons, which included $47 million guaranteed.

2015: Ranked 13th on NFL Top 100 Players of 2015

Julio Jones was ranked 13th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015 after the 2014 season.

2016: All-Pro Selection and Super Bowl Appearance

In 2016, Julio Jones garnered another All-Pro selection and helped to lead the Falcons to Super Bowl LI.

2016: Record-Breaking Performance and Super Bowl LI Appearance

In the 2016 season, Jones had a record-breaking performance against the Panthers, and made it to Super Bowl LI, where despite an "iconic catch", the Falcons lost to the Patriots in overtime.

2016: Ranked eighth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2016

Julio Jones was ranked eighth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016 after the 2015 season.

December 19, 2017: Named to Fifth Pro Bowl

On December 19, 2017, Julio Jones was named to his fifth Pro Bowl.

2017: Ranked third on NFL Top 100 Players of 2017

Julio Jones was ranked third by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 and was the highest-ranked wide receiver.

November 11, 2018: Fastest to 10,000 Receiving Yards

On November 11, 2018, Julio Jones became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards.

December 18, 2018: Named to Sixth Pro Bowl

On December 18, 2018, Julio Jones was named to his sixth Pro Bowl, though he later declined due to injury. He was also named to the second-team All-Pro after the season.

2018: League Leader in Receiving Yards

In 2018, Julio Jones led the league again in receiving yards.

2018: Ranked fourth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2018

Julio Jones was ranked fourth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018 after the 2017 season.

September 7, 2019: Contract Extension

On September 7, 2019, Julio Jones signed a three-year, $66 million contract extension with $64 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the league at the time.

September 15, 2019: Falcons All-Time Receiving Yards Leader

On September 15, 2019, Julio Jones became the all-time career receiving yards leader for the Falcons.

2019: Mention of Michael Thomas's 2019 Season

In 2019, Michael Thomas recorded 149 receptions for the New Orleans Saints, surpassing Julio Jones's 2015 record for the Falcons, to become the highest in NFL history.

2019: Ranked ninth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2019

Julio Jones was ranked ninth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019 after the 2018 season.

2019: End of Consecutive Pro Bowl Selection

Julio Jones's six consecutive Pro Bowl streak ended in 2019.

October 5, 2020: Falcons All-Time Career Receptions Leader

On October 5, 2020, Julio Jones became the all-time career receptions leader for the Falcons.

May 22, 2021: Trade Rumors Sparked by Photo

On May 22, 2021, a photo of Julio Jones wearing a Cowboys sweatshirt surfaced, sparking trade rumors across social media.

May 24, 2021: "I'm out of there"

On May 24, 2021, during a live broadcast, Shannon Sharpe asked Julio Jones if he wanted to remain with the Falcons, and Jones responded, "I'm out of there,", expressing his desire to play for a winning organization and not the Cowboys.

June 6, 2021: Trade to the Titans

On June 6, 2021, Julio Jones was traded by the Falcons to the Titans along with a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft for a second-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft and a fourth-round selection in the 2023 draft.

September 18, 2021: Fined for Scuffle

On September 18, 2021, Julio Jones was fined $10,815 for getting into a scuffle with defensive back Byron Murphy during the season opener against the Cardinals.

November 13, 2021: Placed on Injured Reserve

On November 13, 2021, Julio Jones was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.

2021: Mention of Cooper Kupp's 2021 Season

In 2021, Cooper Kupp achieved 1,947 receiving yards, surpassing Julio Jones's 2015 record for the Falcons, to become the third-highest in NFL history.

2021: Traded to Tennessee Titans

In 2021, after an injury-plagued 2020 season, Julio Jones was traded to the Tennessee Titans.

March 16, 2022: Released by Titans

On March 16, 2022, Julio Jones was released from the Tennessee Titans.

July 27, 2022: Signed with Buccaneers

On July 27, 2022, Julio Jones signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2022: Released by Titans and Signed with Buccaneers

In 2022, after being released by the Titans, Julio Jones signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

January 16, 2023: Wild Card Round Loss

On January 16, 2023, Julio Jones and the Buccaneers were eliminated from the Wild Card Round by the Cowboys, with Jones recording seven receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown in the 31–14 loss. After the season, Jones became a free agent.