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Anquan Boldin told the Buffalo Bills on Sunday that he plans to retire and focus on humanitarian work, according to ESPN’s Jim Trotter. Boldin’s decision comes less than two weeks after he signed with the Bills.
Boldin released a statement on his retirement, saying, “My life’s purpose is bigger than football.”
Statement from Anquan Boldin on his decision to retire: pic.twitter.com/z19jekK33R
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) August 21, 2017
Serving the community has been a focus for Boldin, who was named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in February 2016. In April, he joined Donte Stallworth, Malcolm Jenkins, and Johnson Bademosi on Capitol Hill to fight for criminal justice reform.
Torrey Smith, Boldin’s former teammate, weighed in on his friend’s retirement.
@anquanboldin thanks for showing me the way both on and off the field! Looking forward to creating change in our country alongside you! pic.twitter.com/OVt9EjjcOq
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) August 21, 2017
Bills general manager Brandon Beane said via the team’s Twitter account that the team respects Boldin’s decision.
Statement from GM Brandon Beane on Anquan Boldin. pic.twitter.com/G8k6Tx0HUN
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) August 21, 2017
Boldin spent last season with the Lions, finishing with 584 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He entertained offers from the Bills, Lions, and Ravens this offseason, but settled on Buffalo.
He played in just one preseason contest with the Bills, contributing one catch for five yards.
Boldin, who will be 37 in October, spent the first seven years of his career in Arizona after being drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2003 draft. He spent three seasons with the Ravens and three with the 49ers before landing in Detroit last season.