Tavon Austin Retires from NFL

Former NFL player Tavon Austin has announced that he is retiring from football at the age of 34.

Austin, famously known as “The Pocket Rocket,” was picked eighth overall by the St. Louis Rams in the 2013 draft. Over his nine-season career, he spent most of his time with the Rams but also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Jacksonville Jaguars from 2019 to 2021. In 2022, he was on the Buffalo Bills‘ practice squad before deciding to leave the team.

In an emotional post, Austin expressed gratitude to all the teams, coaches, and staff who believed in him throughout his career. He remarked how football changed his life and noted that he will always treasure his time in the NFL. Austin concluded his message by highlighting that it’s time for him to start a new chapter in his life.

Known for his agility and speed, Austin was an exciting player who could handle multiple roles as a receiver, runner, and return specialist. Over the years, he logged impressive stats, totaling 1,361 rushing yards, 2,239 receiving yards, 1,483 yards on kickoff returns, and 451 yards on punt returns. He found the end zone 16 times as a receiver, scored 10 rushing touchdowns, and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.

Before making a name in the NFL, Tavon had a stellar college career at West Virginia. He racked up 4,446 yards from scrimmage, added 2,840 yards in returns, and scored 40 touchdowns while showcasing his talent in 52 games with the Mountaineers.