Former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver and special teams specialist Tavon Austin has decided to retire. Austin announced his retirement from the National Football League (NFL) on Tuesday, marking the end of his remarkable decade-long career in the league. Austin took to Instagram to share the news with his followers, posting a video that not only confirmed his retirement but also highlighted some of the memorable moments from his stellar football career. Prior to his NFL stint, Austin was a standout at West Virginia University. His standout performance in the 2011 Orange Bowl against Clemson, where he contributed multiple touchdowns, played a crucial role in the Mountaineers’ 70-33 upset victory. Additionally, Austin was a member of West Virginia’s first team to compete in the Big 12 Conference in the 2012 season. In his senior year of college football, Austin’s exceptional abilities were recognized when he was named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. He also received first-team All-Big 12 honors and was a two-time first-team All-American at West Virginia. Selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, Austin quickly established himself as one of the fastest and most electrifying players in the league. With his remarkable speed and athleticism, he often left defenders in their tracks. Notably, Austin’s ability on special teams was evident, as he scored three punt return touchdowns throughout his professional career, racking up a total of 1,515 punt return yards.
While Austin’s primary role was as a wide receiver, he still managed to make a significant impact at the position. Over the course of his NFL career, he recorded 244 receptions for 2,239 yards and 16 touchdowns. His impressive rookie season earned him a spot on the Professional Football Writers Association’s All-Rookie Team in 2013.
Throughout his NFL career, Austin has played for a variety of teams, including the Rams, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and Green Bay Packers. Although he is officially set to retire in 2024, his last appearance on the field was during the 2022 season with the Buffalo Bills, where he did not appear in any games. Austin’s final NFL action came in 2021 when he played for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Undeniably, Tavon Austin leaves behind a lasting legacy that will be missed by fans, especially those in West Virginia who had the privilege of seeing his incredible talents with their own eyes.
Photo from Tavon Austin’s account (X)
