Georgia legend A.J. Green announces NFL retirement
One of the greatest players in Georgia history is hanging up the cleats. A.J. Green announced his retirement on Monday after 12 years in the NFL.
“I’ve never been a man of many words, so I’ll keep this short,” Green said via Instagram. “Thank you. Thank you to all who have supported, encouraged, and inspired me throughout my career. Special thank you to the University of Georgia, Cincinnati Bengals, and Arizona Cardinals for the opportunity to pursue my dreams.I’ve stayed true to the game it owes me nothing. Be blessed.. Love y’all. The next chapter begins…”
Green spent 10 seasons with Cincinnati and his final two with Arizona, appearing in 15 games on the 2022 season. He caught just 24 passes for 236 yards and two scores.
The Summerville, South Carolina native had 1,000 yards or more in his first five NFL seasons. He did it in six of his first seven seasons and reached at least 800 yards receiving in eight of his 12 seasons. Green’s body began breaking down in the 2016 and after bouncing back for 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017, he missed 23 of the next 32 games. That includes the entire 2019 season.
Greene is the highest-drafted wideout in Georgia history. Cincinnati took him No. 4 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. His last season at Georgia was 2010 when, despite missing four games because sold a jersey and profited off of his own name, image, and likeness, Green had 57 catches for 848 yards and nine touchdowns.
He finished his. Georgia career as the programs third all-time leading receiver, trailing only Terrence Edwards and Fred Gibson. Both of those players spent four seasons in Athens.
Former Georgia wideout Javon Wims, Georgia’s leading receiver in 2017, was one of the first to comment on Green’s post, “Man it’s been a blessing watching (and) being teammates brotha (sic) #DGD”
