Running back Maurice Jones-Drew announced via his Twitter that he is retiring from the NFL.
All good things come to an end!!! pic.twitter.com/zl6EJQ5SAE
— Maurice Jones-Drew (@MJD) March 5, 2015
Jones-Drew, a nine-year veteran who spent eight seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and his final campaign with the Oakland Raiders, was a second-round draft pick of the Jaguars in 2006.
A 5’7″, 210-pound back with tree trunks for legs, he racked up more than 1,000 yards in a single season three times, with his best all-around mark coming in 2009. Jones-Drew tallied 1,391 yards and 15 touchdowns, snaring 53 passes for 374 yards and another score.
In 2011, the UCLA product led the league with 343 carries for 1,608 yards, garnering his lone first-team All-Pro honors.
His career slowed down after that breakout season, and the Jaguars allowed him to test the free-agent waters following the 2013 campaign. Oakland nabbed Jones-Drew, but he managed just 96 yards on 43 carries, an unceremonious end to an otherwise decent career.
Jones-Drew finished his professional days with 8,761 yards and 68 touchdowns on the ground, hauling in 346 receptions for 2,944 yards and 11 more scores. He was named to three pro bowls—2009, 2010 and 2011—during his time in the league.
He retires at just 29 years old.
Photo: USA Today