SOUTH FULTON — Before the Westlake Lions football game against Gainesville on Friday night, Westlake High School dedicated and retired the number eight jersey of Aundell “A.J.” Terrell Jr. in front of a crowd full of Blue and Silver.
With the huge success Terrell had on the field, his jersey retirement is only the beginning of his legacy and comes as no surprise to him.
“Always,” Terell said when asked about if he imagined having his jersey retired at Westlake. “It was always grinding and trusting the process. Good things happen to people who do things the right way. I didn’t cheat or skip any steps leading up to this. I’m just honored and thankful that this day came. I thank God.”
Terrell played at Westlake from 2012-2016 and was a five star recruit. He went on to play at Clemson under current head coach Dabo Swinney.
While at Clemson, Terrell won a national championship in 2018 and played for another one in 2019. After Clemson, Terrell was drafted by his hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2020 draft with the 16th overall pick.
Terrell builds his legacy with the Falcons
Since being drafted by the Falcons, Terrell has stepped up at the team’s best corner and earned a Second Team All-Pro selection in 2021. Last, Terrell signed a four year, $81 million deal to stay with the Falcons.
“This is what I wanted,” said Terrell when asked about signing his contract extension with the Falcons. “Once I got here, I never envisioned leaving or going anywhere else. I’m glad to be a Falcon.”
Terrell continues to give back to his community and Westlake High School financially and is generous with his time. A.J. hosts a football summer camp which he started in 2021. Terrell also won the John Lewis Emerging Leader Award. This honor was bestowed upon him in 2023 by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.