With each passing year, he is getting ready for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Julio Jones is not only a model of excellence, but the former Alabama wide receiver is also a constant model of efficiency. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder enhances offenses and frustrates defenses in so many ways that it has become impossible to box him in.
During his tenure of nine seasons in the National Football League, Jones missed a 1,000-yard campaign twice.
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He eclipsed his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season this year, totaling 1,316 yards (third in the league) with six touchdowns on 92 catches.
In Sunday’s win over the Jaguars, the Atlanta Falcons saw its first selection of the 2011 NFL Draft (No. 6 overall) do something special.
Jones became the fastest receiver in league history to post 12,000 yards.
.@juliojones_11 is the fastest receiver in NFL history to reach 12,000 Rec. Yards, surpassing Jerry Rice! #JetJones✈ pic.twitter.com/epmEpTg4Zx
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 22, 2019
He caught 10 passes for 166 yards versus Jacksonville in a 24-12 victory and he accomplished this feat in 125 games. Jones got to the mark faster than Hall of Famers, Jerry Rice (142 games) and Torry Holt (146 games).
He was also quicker to the mark than NFL great, Andre Johnson, who eclipsed 12,000 yards in 146 games as well. A native of Foley, Ala., Jones stands at 12,047 yards with 57 touchdowns on 790 receptions, to a tune a 15.2 yards per catch for his career.
Julio Jones set the NFL record for fewest games to reach 12,000 receiving yards in NFL history:
Julio Jones 125
Jerry Rice 142
Andre Johnson 146
Torry Holt 146— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) December 23, 2019
One person who has been thoroughly appreciative of Jones is Matt Ryan.
Since Jones’ arrival, Ryan has consistently been in between 4,000 to 4,500 passing yards – especially the last six seasons.
The superstar receiver helped Ryan to his best year ever in 2016 as he set career highs for completion percentage (69.9%), passing yards (4,944), touchdowns (38), passer rating (117.1), passing yards per game (309.0) and yards per attempt (9.3).
With these statistics, Ryan was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named All-Pro first team and the tandem of he and Jones guided Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016.
Despite the Falcons not making the playoffs, Ryan said Jones is ‘the best to ever do it in this sport.’
“Pretty amazing for Julio to be the fastest to get to 12,000 yards receiving,” Ryan said.
“It speaks to the kind of player he has been from the start of his career. He’s been unbelievable, but there has never been a better teammate, no one that works harder day in and day out. He is loyal. He has been a great leader for us and I am happy for him.”
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
