NFL Playmaker Retires at 32-Years-Old to Go Back to College
A former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver is retiring from the NFL, but he already has a new career path.
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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that receiver Chris Conley is hanging up his cleats. Instead of playing football this fall, the former wideout will go back to the University of Georgia to earn a film degree.
"Veteran NFL WR Chris Conley, who most recently played for the 49ers, has decided to retire after 10 seasons to follow his dream his agent Jonathan Perzley of Sportstars said," post Rapoport on X.
"Conley is heading to film school back at UGA to pursue dreams of being a film maker. So cool."
Conley is retiring after 10 seasons in the NFL. He played his first four years with the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Over the next six seasons, Conley appeared in games for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers.
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Chris Conley© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Conley's best statistical season came with the Jaguars in 2019 when he had 47 catches for 775 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Conley also had five touchdowns with the Chiefs in 2018, which was Patrick Mahomes' first season as a starter.
In 2024, the 32-year-old had six catches for 76 yards while playing 239 offensive snaps.
Conley spent four years with the Bulldogs from 2011-14. He increased his yardage output after every season at Georgia.
As a senior, Conley averaged 18.3 yards per catch and scored eight touchdowns. In 49 career college games, he had 117 receptions, 1,938 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.
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Conley represented the University of Georgia well in the NFL. In his next chapter, he'll try to represent the school in Hollywood.
Related: Ex-Georgia QB Carson Beck's Massive NIL Deal With Miami Revealed
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
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