A.J. Green

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Green's professional journey began immediately upon his arrival in Cincinnati. In Week 4 of the 2012 season (September 30), he caught nine passes for a career-high 183 yards against the Washington Redskins, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. His consistency was unmatched early on; from 2011 to 2013, he accumulated 240 receptions, a mark that stood as an NFL record until surpassed by other players. Green extended his touchdown streak to eight consecutive games in 2012 against the New York Giants with a 56-yard score, later extending it to nine games against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also set franchise milestones early, surpassing Cris Collinsworth's rookie receiving record of 1,009 yards on December 11, 2011, reaching 1,031 yards. Over his first three seasons, he recorded four 100-yard games as a rookie alone and led all NFL rookies in receptions (72) and yards (1,057).

In Their Own Story

The path to Green's stardom started with tragedy and determination. At age four, he lost his older brother in a car wreck while heading to a school carnival. He later developed hand-eye coordination by learning to juggle as early as second grade, eventually mastering four items at once. This skill translated to the field during his college years at Georgia, where he was suspended for the first four games of 2010 after admitting to selling his Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000. Upon returning on October 2 against Colorado, he immediately contributed with seven catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. His rookie season in 2011 was historic; alongside quarterback Andy Dalton, the duo surpassed the all-time NFL record for yards and receptions by a rookie quarterback/receiver tandem on December 18, 2011. Green's playoff debut came shortly after in a Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans, where he recorded five catches for 47 yards.

Reader's Guide

To understand A.J. Green's career, look at his high school roots and immediate NFL impact. A three-sport athlete at Summerville High School in South Carolina, he led the basketball team to a 2007–2008 state championship. In football, he posted 5,373 career receiving yards (second in NFHS history) and was ranked #1 by Sports Illustrated for the Class of 2008. His college stats at Georgia were equally impressive: 166 receptions for 2,619 yards and 23 touchdowns over three seasons. In his first NFL season alone, he led all rookies with 65 catches and 1,057 yards while earning a Pro Bowl nomination. Throughout his twelve-year career, Green made seven Pro Bowls and achieved six seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 but returned to Cincinnati on September 16, 2023, signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a Bengal.

Did You Know?

• Green learned to juggle as early as second grade, eventually mastering four items at once to improve his hand-eye coordination.
• He was the only senior nominated for the 2007 USA Today All-American first-team after catching 75 passes for 1,422 yards in a single season.
• Green's touchdown streak of nine consecutive games in 2012 was a franchise record, though Jerry Rice holds the NFL all-time record with 13 consecutive games.
• He signed a one-day contract with the Bengals on September 16, 2023, to officially retire as a member of his original team after his final active season in 2022.