Tavon Austin is ending his career after 113 NFL games for four teams. The versatile player emotionally thanks fans and organizations via Instagram.
Tavon Austin, who played in 113 NFL games for four different teams from 2013 to 2021, officially announced his retirement from football on Tuesday. The 34-year-old last played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, where he caught 24 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown in seven games. In 2022, he was part of the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad before spending last season out of the league.
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NFL debut in 2013 for St. Louis
Austin was selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams and spent his first five seasons with that team. He then played for the Dallas Cowboys (2018-19), the Green Bay Packers (2020) and most recently the Jaguars. The versatile offensive and special teams player caught 244 passes for 2,239 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career. He also ran for 1,361 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He also scored three punt return touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons, including a 98-yarder as a rookie.
Emotional farewell words from Austin
In an emotional Instagram post, Austin wrote: “No matter how hard you work or how much you want something, sometimes God has other plans. I wasn’t sure I was ready to give up football and it was one of the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. But after an incredible ten years, I am officially retiring from the NFL.”
Austin thanked God, his fans and the organizations that gave him a chance: “First of all, I want to thank God for making my childhood dream a reality. God has blessed me beyond measure! I want to thank my fans who cheered me on and supported me through ups and downs. Without you, I would have no career. I also want to thank all the organizations, coaches and staff who gave me a chance. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and hope you all know that I played with heart every day and gave my VERY BEST, regardless of the circumstances.”
