9781422277232

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

Joe L . Morgan

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

Aaron Rodgers Antonio Brown DrewBrees J.J. Watt Julio Jones Rob Gronkowski RussellWilson

Tom Brady Von Miller

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

Joe L . Morgan

MASON CREST

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com Copyright © 2019 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4072-4

ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4067-0 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7723-2 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Morgan, Joe L., author. Title: Julio Jones / Joe L. Morgan. Description: Broomall, Pennsylvania : Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc., [2018] | Series: Gridiron greats: Pro football’s best players. Identifiers: LCCN 2018020759 (print) | LCCN 2018022747 (ebook) | ISBN 9781422277232 (eBook) | ISBN 9781422240724 (hardback) | ISBN 9781422240670 (series) Subjects: LCSH: Jones, Julio—Juvenile literature. | Wide receivers (Football)—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature. | Football players—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature. | Atlanta Falcons (Football team)—History—Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC GV939.J643 (ebook) | LCC GV939.J643 M67 2018 (print) | DDC 796.332092 [B] —dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018020759 Developed and Produced by National Highlights Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Interior and cover design: Jana Rade, impact studios Production: Michelle Luke

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Contents

Further Reading . . . . . . . . . 74 Internet Resources . . . . . . . 75 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . 79 Educational Video Links & Author Bio . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Chapter 1: Greatest Moments . . . 7 Chapter 2: The Road to the Top . . 21 Chapter 3: On the Field . . . . . . 35 Chapter 4: Words Count . . . . . 49 Chapter 5: Off the Field . . . . . . 63 Series Glossary of Key Terms . . 72

KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR:

Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills.

Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments and much more! Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there.

Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis.

Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND backfield – the area for the offense where the running backs (tailback and fullback) line up behind the quarterback and offensive line; it is also the area on the defensive side of the ball where the defensive backs line up, behind the defensive line and linebackers benchmark – a standard of achievement against which similar things must be measured or judged instinct – a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency interception – an interception in football occurs when a defensive player catches a football intended for an offensive player milestone – a significant event or stage in the life, progress, development, career or the like of a person, nation, etc.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

Chapter 1

Greatest Moments

JULIO JONES’ NFL CAREER Quintorris Lopez “Julio” Jones, born February 8, 1989, has accomplished a lot in his NFL career. He is by far the most productive wide receiver in NFL history on a per game basis, being the first to average 100 yards or more a season for more than four straight years (2013–2016). His career yards per game average of 95.3 yards is the best among NFL WRs, just ahead of current player Odell Beckham Jr’s 92.2 and former great Calvin Johnson, who retired at 86.1 yards per game. Jones’ performance at the wide receiver position has placed him among the league’s best. This includes such up and coming stars as Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys, Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers, A.J. Green, a fellow 2011 draftee of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Jordy Nelson of the Green Bay Packers, among other great and potentially future Hall of Fame players. The presence that Jones has on the field and his ability to gain separation and make spectacular catches makes him a dangerous threat every time he suits up and enters the gridiron against an opponent.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

JULIO JONES’ CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Jones was taken with the 6th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, the result of a trade with the Cleveland Browns. Jones. In 87 games played for the Falcons from 2011–2017, Jones made 540 pass receptions for 8,268 yards and 41 receiving touchdowns. His receiving yards put him just below Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers (who has one more year of experience) at seventh among active players and ahead of Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys), A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals), and Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers), all considered current superstars. Some of Julio Jones’ other career accomplishments include: • Named to the NFL All-Rookie team (2011). • Led the NFL in receptions with 136 (2015). • Recorded two seasons with 100+ catches. • Led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,871 yards (2015). • Recorded four seasons with 1,000+ yards receiving. • Accumulated 300 yards receiving in a game versus Carolina Panthers on October 2, 2016, the sixth-best performance in NFL history. • Twice led the NFL in receiving yards per game average with 116.9 (2015) and 100.6 (2016). • Jones has been named to the NFL Pro Bowl four times in his career, first in 2012 and over three consecutive years (2014–2016). He was also named First-Team All-Pro in consecutive years, 2015 and 2016.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

HERE IS A LIST OF SOME OF THE CAREER FIRSTS AND GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS BY JONES DURING HIS TIME IN THE NFL SO FAR. Jones’ Greatest Career Moments

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST 100-YARD RECEIVING GAME In his third game as a NFL wide receiver against division foe Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 25, 2011, Jones caught six passes from quarterback Matt Ryan for 115 yards in a 16–13 loss. This feat marked the first time in his NFL career that he gained 100 or more yards catching the football in a game.

Julio Jones on the receiving end of a 49-yard catch, one of his six receptions in the game for 115 yards in a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, September 25, 2011.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

FIRST 300-YARD RECEIVING GAME Jones became one of only six players (and the only active player) in NFL history to gain 300 or more yards receiving in a single game in amatchup against the Carolina Panthers, October 2, 2016. For the game, Jones had 12 catches and one touchdown reception, as the Falcons defeated the Panthers in a high scoring game, 48–33.

Video highlights from NFL.com of Julio Jones’ 12 catch, 300-yard, one touchdown performance against the Carolina Panthers, October 2, 2016.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST NFL RECEIVING TOUCHDOWN In a November 6, 2011, game versus the Indianapolis Colts, Jones caught his first touchdown pass for his career. With four minutes and twenty-five seconds played in the 1st quarter, Atlanta QB Matt Ryan threw a pass down the middle to an open Jones for a 50-yard touchdown play. For the game, Jones made 3 receptions for 131 yards, a whopping 43.7 yards per catch, and two touchdowns. The game was also Jones’ first multiple touchdown game.

Julio Jones on the receiving end of a 50-yard first quarter touchdown pass in a November 6, 2011, game versus the Indianapolis Colts.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

FIRST NFL GAME WITH 10 OR MORE RECEPTIONS Jones caught 10 or more passes for the first time in his career in a game against the Seattle Seahawks, October 2, 2011. The game, which Atlanta won by the score of 38–28, saw Julio Jones catch the ball 11 times, going for 127 yards for an average of 11.5 yards per catch. Jones had 13 career games with at least 10 catches through the 2017 season.

Julio Jones, guarded by Seattle defensive back Brandon Browner, catches a pass thrown to the left sideline by QB Matt Ryan in an October 2, 2011 game versus the Seattle Seahawks.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST NFL SEASONWITH 1,000+ YARDS RECEIVING Jones reached the 1,000 receiving yards milestone for wide receivers in 2012, his second NFL season. Jones nearly reached this benchmark in his rookie year, with a total of 959 yards. For the 2012 season Jones made 79 catches, for 1,198 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns. For his effort that season, Jones was selected to participate in his first NFL Pro Bowl.

Julio Jones displays excellent footwork on this 16-yard touchdown pass near the end of a first half game versus the Detroit Lions, December 22, 2012. The catch was his tenth and last touchdown catch of the 2012 season and added 16 more yards toward his season end total of 1,198 yards.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players