Tavon Austin, the former first-round pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday via Instagram. Austin, who is 34 years old and known by the nickname “The Pocket Rocket,” was selected eighth overall by the St. Louis Rams and enjoyed a nine-season career in the NFL. Most of his time in the league was spent with the Rams, although he also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Jacksonville Jaguars between 2019 and 2021. Additionally, he had a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in 2022 before requesting his release.
In his retirement announcement, Austin expressed gratitude to all the teams, coaches, and staff members who believed in him throughout his career. He reflected on how football had a profound impact on his life and stated that he will always treasure his time in the NFL. He concluded by acknowledging that, like all seasons, his football journey has come to an end, and he is ready to embark on a new chapter.
Throughout his career, Austin showcased his versatility as a player, excelling as a receiver, runner, and return specialist. He accumulated 1,361 rushing yards, 2,239 receiving yards, 1,483 yards on kickoff returns, and 451 yards on punt returns. He also scored 16 receiving touchdowns, 10 rushing touchdowns, and three touchdowns on kickoff returns. Before his NFL career, Austin had a standout collegiate career at West Virginia University, where he amassed 4,446 yards from scrimmage, 2,840 return yards, and 40 touchdowns over 52 games for the Mountaineers.
