Former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin abruptly announced his retirement just under two weeks after signing with the Buffalo Bills.
In a statement provided to ESPN's Jim Trotter, Boldin said he wishes to focus on his "humanitarian work."
Statement from Anquan Boldin on his decision to retire: pic.twitter.com/z19jekK33R
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) August 21, 2017
General manager Brandon Beane made it official Sunday night by saying the team respects Boldin's decision to retire. Boldin's decision came as a complete surprise especially after he talked about building on his legacy entering his 15th season and serving as a mentor for Buffalo's young group of receivers.
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Congratulations to @AnquanBoldin on a great @NFL career on and off the field. pic.twitter.com/TWuSt135mE
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 21, 2017
Boldin was the Cardinals' second-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, one year before the Cardinals selected Larry Fitzgerald in the first round, and he helped lead the Cardinals to an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII. He played for the Cardinals from 2003-09 before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 2010.
Boldin was the NFL's 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner and ranks in the top four among active receivers with 1,076 catches, 13,779 yards receiving and 82 touchdowns receiving.
Boldin appeared in just one preseason game for Buffalo, and finished with one catch for 5 yards in a 20-16 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday night.
