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Former Georgia Bulldogs WR Chris Conley announces NFL retirement and is headed back to Athens

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kelsey Kramer | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 11:56 PM ET

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Chris Conley is officially retiring from the NFL after 10 seasons to chase another dream.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday morning that Conley is hanging up his cleats to pursue his passion for filmmaking by enrolling in film school at the University of Georgia.

"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 @SPORTSTARSNYC said. Conley is heading to film school back at UGA to pursue dreams of being a film maker. So cool," Rapoport wrote on X//Twitter.

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 @SPORTSTARSNYC said.

Conley is heading to film school back at UGA to pursue dreams of being a film maker. So cool. . pic.twitter.com/qOctLS5WYS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 7, 2025

Conley, 32, also shared his decision on Instagram, 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."

Originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Conley also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and most recently, the San Francisco 49ers. In 10 NFL seasons, Conley appeared in 132 games, recording 226 receptions for 2,998 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Before entering the league, Conley spent four seasons at Georgia (2011–2014), emerging as one of their most productive pass catchers. In that span, he tallied 117 receptions for 1,938 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Conley has long been passionate about storytelling and filmmaking and during his time at Georgia, he wrote, directed, and starred in a Star Wars fan film titled "Retribution."

His wife, Brianna, is all in on his next adventure.

"Seeing you accomplish your goal of playing 10 years in the NFL was incredible. Can't wait to see you excel in the next chapter," she wrote on Instagram.

It's not often you see people get to live out one dream, let alone two, but Conley’s making it happen.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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