Atlanta Falcons

Falcons WR Julio Jones says Roddy White helped him to mature

Published Aug. 20, 2015 1:18 a.m. ET

foxsports

It seems as though the bond between wide receiver's Julio Jones and Roddy White is one that will likely last long after the two are done playing football. These two have grown together both on and off the field, and according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN, Jones credits White for helping him mature throughout his career.

When asked about what helped and went into Jones maturing early on in his career, he was quick to point to White.

"Roddy went into it," Jones told ESPN. "That's what went into it. Just talking to him early on with Roddy, he just helped me out a lot as far as being a professional, and just knowing how to practice and read defenses."

"I already know Cover 3, Cover 2, everything else. But it's a lot of times, defenses try to take you away and they do certain things that you wouldn't be ready for. And he showed me how to break stuff down like that. Moving forward, I've become a student. Now, I can kind of do it on my own. Like I said, he taught me."

White has proven to be the definition of a team player, and the guidance, teaching and leadership he's shown throughout the years can't be understated. Apparently, his best teaching job of them all may have been with one of the best receivers in the NFL.

(h/t ESPN)