Julio Jones’ greatest-ever catch should’ve been the biggest moment in Atlanta Falcons history.
The superstar wide receiver, at the peak of his powers, leaped for an impossible sideline grab for a first down with less than five minutes remaining in Super Bowl LI.
The Falcons led the Patriots, 28-20. This was field goal range. The game should’ve basically been over, even after a 28-3 lead had mostly evaporated.
Jones went and got Matt Ryan’s pass in a place no other receiver on the planet may have gotten.
Julio Jones — author of one of the greatest catches in NFL history… that no one talks about. pic.twitter.com/F9g1rvv2up
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2025
But then the Falcons went run for no gain, sack, holding (and incomplete pass on replay of third down) to set up fourth-and-33.
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Instead of kicking a 51-yard Matt Bryant field goal, Atlanta punted. Tom Brady got the eight points needed to force overtime, and the rest is history.
Well, except for the Jones catch, which is mostly lost to history.
The all-time great retired Friday, bringing a reason to remember his greatest highlight that came moments before the Falcons’ biggest lowlight.
Jones caught more than 800 passes for the Falcons, including 60 touchdowns, across 10 remarkable seasons. He played three more NFL seasons, one apiece with the Titans, Buccaneers and Eagles. He even caught passes from Brady in that 2022 Tampa Bay season.
But when Jones is inducted into Canton at the first opportunity, the highlight reel will show this Super Bowl catch.
The only painful part is that it should’ve been a Super Bowl-winning catch.
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