Former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver and fan favorite Tavon Austin is calling it a career after nine NFL seasons.
On his Instagram account, Tavon Austin announced that he’s retiring from football. The 34-year-old last played in 2021, when he suited up for seven games with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Austin was a star for the West Virginia Mountaineers football team before turning pro. He had 29 touchdown catches and is the school’s all-time leader in receptions (288) and receiving yards (3,413), per Sports Reference.
The two-time First-team All-American and 2012 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year was drafted eighth overall by the Rams in 2013. Tavon Austin turned heads there with a phenomenal rookie year that saw him record 569 yards of offense, 280 punt return yards and 398 kick return yards.
Former West Virginia star Tavon Austin has announced his retirement
One of the most exciting College Football players EVER👏
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 13, 2024
On the offensive side of the ball, Tavon Austin had his best season in 2015. He caught 52 passes for 473 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 434 rushing yards and nine rushing scores.
As a wide receiver only, Austin’s best year came in 2016 after the franchise relocated to Los Angeles. That year, he caught 58 passes for 509 yards and three touchdowns.
After five years with the Rams, Austin joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. He lasted two seasons there and appeared in 21 games, notching 21 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns. He appeared in four games four the Green Bay Packers in 2020 before spending his final season in Jacksonville.
Tavon Austin’s Career Stats
As a pass-catcher, Austin finished with 244 receptions for 2,239 yards and 16 touchdowns. He added 1,361 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores on 199 carries, flashing his explosiveness as a do-it-all weapon on offense.
On the special teams side, Austin racked up 1,483 punt return yards and three touchdowns to go along with 451 kick return yards.
