From Gridiron to Silver Screen: Veteran WR Conley Announces Retirement to Pursue Film School Dreams

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Chris Conley is hanging up his cleats after a successful decade in the NFL. He shared the news on Instagram, marking his retirement from football after ten seasons with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and most recently, the San Francisco 49ers.

Conley reflected on his journey, stating, “When I was a kid, I wrote down a set of goals. On that list was ‘Play 10 years in the NFL.’ Now that this goal has been accomplished, it’s time to set sights on something new.”

His new adventure? Film school at the University of Georgia, his alma mater, as confirmed by his agent, Jonathan Perzley.

Drafted in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Conley played 132 games, starting 65 of them. He recorded 226 catches for 2,998 yards and 15 touchdowns. His standout season came in 2019 with Jacksonville, where he achieved career highs with 47 catches, 775 yards, and five touchdowns. Over the past two seasons with the 49ers, he mainly took on a backup role behind stars like Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

In his final year, Conley managed six catches for 76 yards and even helped on special teams with a fumble recovery. “The past 10 years have been a dream,” he wrote. “Getting the opportunity to play in the league was an honor, and whether it was catching touchdowns or blocking for them, I truly gave it my all.” He ended his post with a hopeful message: “See you in the next dream.”

Conley’s transition from the gridiron to filmmaking reflects a growing trend among athletes. Many find new paths after their sports careers. A survey by the NFL Players Association indicated that nearly 40% of former players seek opportunities in creative fields after football. This shows how versatile athletes can be and their desire to pursue passions beyond sports.

As Conley embarks on this new journey, his story serves as an inspiration. It reminds us that it’s never too late to chase new dreams, no matter where life takes you.

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