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WR who caught Patrick Mahomes' first touchdown pass at Arrowhead Stadium is retiring to pursue his other passion
© CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR

Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley is retiring from the NFL after 10 seasons, per a report from Ian Rapoport.

Conley has always had a passion for film. During his collegiate days at Georgia, he and his teammates created a Star Wars fan film entitled "Retribution." He also often posts about film on his X and Instagram accounts.

Conley is now returning to Georgia to pursue his dreams of being a film maker. Of course, he also played WR for the Bulldogs from 2011-2014, posting back-to-back 600+ yard seasons during his final two years with the program.

The Chiefs selected Conley in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was very impressive during the NFL Scouting Combine, finishing third in the 40-yard dash, and setting the record for the highest vertical leap at 45 inches.

Conley was on the bottom end of the depth chart during his rookie year, catching 17 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown. He took a big step forward in his second season, recording 44 receptions for 530 yards. Expectations were high for Conley entering 2017, but an Achilles injury set him back, costing him 11 games.

In 2018 he caught quarterback Patrick Mahomes' first ever touchdown pass at Arrowhead Stadium, which came on a memorable scramble drill play (H/T KC Sports Network). Conley set a career high in TD catches that season with five.

With big-time pass catchers such as Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, and Travis Kelce on the roster, the Chiefs did not bring Conley back when his rookie contract expired at the conclusion of the 2018 season. Conley signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, and had the best year of his career with 47 receptions for 775 yards and five TDs.

In 2021 Conley signed with Houston Texans, appearing in 18 games with them before being released in October of 2022. He then re-signed with Kansas City's practice squad, but it lasted for only a few weeks as the Tennessee Titans signed him to their active roster later that month.

Conley finished out his career in San Francisco with he 49ers from 2023-2024. He played in Super Bowl LVIII against the Chiefs, recording one catch for 18 yards and two tackles on special teams. In his final season Conley caught six passes for 76 yards. 

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

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