Former first-round pick Tavon Austin announces retirement from NFL

In his classy post, Austin thanked "all of the organizations, coaches, and staff that took a chance on me" and credited football with changing his life. He closed the retirement message by saying, "I will forever cherish the time I spent in the NFL. It has indeed been a privilege. Just like seasons, they come to an end, and it's time for me to enter my next chapter in life."

The undersized but dangerous triple threat -- as a receiver, runner and returner -- totaled 1,361 yards rushing; 2,239 yards receiving; 1,483 yards on kickoff returns; plus 451 yards on punt returns. Austin also scored 16 receiving touchdowns, 10 more on the ground and three as a kickoff returner in the NFL.

Austin had a brilliant college career at West Virginia, totaling 4,446 yards from scrimmage, 2,840 more on returns and 40 touchdowns in 52 college games for the Mountaineers.