Wide receiver Anquan Boldin has informed the team that he has decided to retire from football.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
He was on the Bills roster for two weeks, but after appearing in his only preseason game for Buffalo, wide receiver Anquan Boldin has informed the team that he has decided to retire from football.
Bills GM Brandon Beane issued the following statement in the wake of Boldin’s decision.
Statement from GM Brandon Beane
“We respect Anquan’s decision to retire from the NFL. We appreciate the time he gave us over the past two weeks.
He is one of the best receivers to play this game and we wish him and his family all the best moving forward.”
Boldin, 36, released a statement on his Twitter account. It read in part as follows.
“Football has afforded me a platform throughout my career to have a greater impact on my humanitarian work. At this time I feel drawn to make the larger fight for human rights a priority. My life’s purpose is bigger than football.”
The statement doesn’t come as a surprise for a player who won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2015. After receiving the award he said – “I realized my purpose in life was not to make it to the NFL and score touchdowns. God put me on this earth for something much bigger than that and I realized and understand what my purpose is now. … It’s my prayer and my hope that I can live out the rest of my life honoring God and helping as many people as possible.”
The veteran receiver thought long and hard before deciding to undertake his 15th NFL season with the Bills after making a free agent visit with the club last month.
Boldin’s decision suddenly leaves the slot receiver role wide open for newest Bills receiver Jordan Matthews, who began catching passes at practice Sunday in his return from a chip fracture in his sternum.
Buffalo’s receiving corps currently has 12 receivers on their roster.
Jordan Matthews
Zay Jones
Andre Holmes
Brandon Tate
Rod Streater
Philly Brown
Jeremy Butler
Walt Powell
Dez Lewis
Rashad Ross
Daikiel Shorts
Brandon Reilly