Football may be a dangerous sport, but it’s one of America’s favorites; this is just part of why NFL players are paid so handsomely. Anyone hoping to be drafted must be three years out of high school, giving them time to mature mentally and physically before joining their heroes on the field. Maryland’s Tavon Austin was a 22-year-old standout from West Virginia University when he joined the St. Louis Rams in 2013. In the decade following that, he played nine NFL seasons with five different teams before announcing his retirement in August 2024.
Thanks to his shorter stature, speed and skill, Austin became known as the “Pocket Rocket.” While the second half of his time in the league was less glamorous than the first, the Baltimore native will always be remembered for his accomplishments. His love for the sport was obvious even in high school, at which time he was twice named the Maryland Consensus Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Austin set state records for career points (790), touchdowns (123), total offensive yards (9,258) and rushing yards (7,962) before heading to WVU. He’s an overall well-rounded athlete, having played basketball and competed in track as a sprinter and jumper. Keep reading for a look back on Tavon Austin’s legendary NFL career and estimated net worth after dedicating so much of his energy to football.
What Is Tavon Austin’s Net Worth?
According to Sportskeeda, the former wide receiver’s net worth is a rumored $20M as of January 2024. This figure is based on his past contract earnings, beginning with the four-year deal he signed with St. Louis ahead of his rookie season for $12.751 million. Along with that came a hefty $7.653M signing bonus thanks to his reputation as a stellar player. Austin later accepted a four-year $42M extension to his initial deal in 2016, but as we’ll soon discuss, there was a notable dip in the 33-year-old’s stats while transitioning to the Los Angeles Rams.
His second team agreed to restructure his contract and void his final three years in LA, paying him $5M in guarantees and another $3M in incentives. Tavon Austin’s career earnings are a reported $40,680,263 with over $10M of that coming from his time in St. Louis and nearly $25M in the shift to the West Coast. While playing for the Dallas Cowboys he earned $3.5M and brief stints with other teams were worth about $1M each.
After Four Years At West Virginia University, ‘The Pocket Rocket’ Was Off To The NFL
Following his graduation from Dunbar High School, Austin was off to post-secondary. While playing on a scholarship at WVU, his primary position changed from running back to wide receiver, allowing him to develop more range as a player. The pro baller’s statistics increased consistently from his sophomore to senior year, and in his junior Austin was named first-team All-American by CBS Sports. Before finishing his college football career, the Pocket Rocket set an Orange Bowl record by receiving four touchdowns during the game. He was also named All-Purpose Performer of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards Association.
Being the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft is no small feat, and Tavon Austin certainly impressed during his rookie season. He played in 13 games, accumulating 151 rushing yards with nine carries, 418 receiving yards, 68 return yards and 51 combined return opportunities during kick and punt returns. This had all eyes on the WVU alum, leading him to the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2013 before being named as a Pro Bowl alternate the following year. During his second NFL season, Austin was ranked third in the league for punt return yards (391), but it was his third year with the Rams where the athlete really shone.
2015 saw the wide receiver achieve career highs in receptions (52), receiving yards (473) and receiving touchdowns (five). Austin matched a record by Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears set in 1965, scoring at least five receiving touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns and a punt return touchdown in a single season. As the St. Louis team permanently moved to LA, they picked up Austin’s fifth-year contract option, marking a fresh start for him. Sadly, the NFLer’s performance began to decline in his fourth season, with his rushing total dropping from over 500 in 2013 to 159 in 2016. Elsewhere, Austin failed to return a punt for a touchdown for the first time since he was drafted.
Tavon Austin Announced His Retirement From The League After Nine Seasons
Though the Rams reached the playoffs for the first time since 2004 in 2017, Tavon Austin’s contributions to the team that year were smaller than expected. He mostly appeared on the field as a runner during jet sweeps or garbage time; by week five, the 33-year-old was removed from special team duties over fumbling issues and his career-low statistics. Before his sixth season began, gossip was swirling about the potential of Austin being released or traded. He ultimately moved to the Dallas Cowboys, but a groin injury in game six kept him off the field for the rest of the regular season. On the bright side, while he was playing, Austin didn’t have a fumble for the first time in his career.
After healing from his injury, the former Rams player re-signed with the Cowboys for a seventh season in 2019. He appeared in 14 games, missing two after sustaining a concussion during the season opener, collecting 13 receptions for 177 yards plus one receiving touchdown. This wasn’t enough to keep Austin in Dallas, it seems, as he struck a deal with the San Francisco 49ers in August 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The East Coaster was placed on an injury reserve in September and released with a settlement the next month. Thankfully, he found work with the Green Bay Packers by December, competing in four games as a backup wide receiver.
He might not have known it at the time, but 2021 was the final year Austin would play in the NFL. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, appearing in 13 games with 24 receptions for 213 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. The Pocket Rocket planned to continue his career with the Buffalo Bills in 2022 but was released from their practice squad by October. Ahead of the 2024 season, Tavon Austin emotionally announced his retirement from the league via Instagram. “No matter how hard you work or how badly you want something, sometimes God has other plans,” he began.
“I wasn’t sure if I was ready to give up football, and it has been one of the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. But after an incredible ten years, I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Austin added before thanking God, his teammates and coaches. “Football gave me more than a career. It gave me some lifelong friendships and molded so much of my character. It taught me how vital choices are and how decision-making affects you. Football created in me a mindset of relentless pursuit and hard work ethic! Football didn’t always love me back, but it will always be my first love!”
