NFL Player Abruptly Gives Up, Retires During Halftime
Vontae Davis has left the building.
Just before halftime of the Bills 31-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in Buffalo, the veteran cornerback told coach Sean McDermott he was done — and not just for the second half.
“He pulled himself out of the game,” McDermott said, reported NFL.com. “He told us he was done.”
With his team down 28-6 at halftime, Davis, 30, went into the locker room, got dressed, and walked away from the game, his team and his football career.
Word is Vontae Davis put on his street clothes at half, said he was quitting and left the stadium, per another source https://t.co/spdxMWrNSd
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 16, 2018
“This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL,” Davis, 30, in a statement explaining his actions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnzd_k9lxrx/?taken-by=vontaedavis
“But in my 10th NFL season, I have been doing what my body has been programmed to do: Get ready to play on game day. I’ve endured multiple surgeries and played through many different injuries throughout my career and, over the last few weeks, this was the latest physical challenge,” wrote Davis.
“But today on the field, reality hit me fast and hard: I shouldn’t be out there anymore.”
Buffalo CB Vontae Davis apparently retired at halftime during the Chargers-Bills game Sunday.
"He said he's not coming out. He retired…"
—Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander pic.twitter.com/ab7wJoyc7f— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 16, 2018
His teammates were shocked when they didn’t see him come out for the second half. And they weren’t happy about it.
Davis, the brother of Redskins tight end Vernon Davis, was drafted 25th overall in 2009 by the Dolphins. He played three years in Miami before traded to the Colts in 2012. He played six years with the Colts and made the Pro Bowl twice.
In February, Davis signed a one-year deal with the Bills.
“I meant no disrespect to my teammates and coaches. But I hold myself to a standard. Mentally, I always expect myself to play at a high level. But physically, I know today that isn’t possible, and I had an honest moment with myself. While I was on the field, I just didn’t feel right, and I told the coaches, ‘I’m not feeling like myself,'” Davis added in his statement.
https://twitter.com/OldPlayerTweets/status/1041434079546228736
Of course, it sparked a ton of memes on Twitter.
Vontae Davis running out of the tunnel for the 2nd half pic.twitter.com/VcBbEWhiWk
— Ray Lewis' Knife (@JeffArnots) September 17, 2018
As well as some sympathy. He is playing for the Bills after all.
So much respect. It’s your life. Freedom is never popular but oh so necessary. Blessings to you @vontaedavis https://t.co/Gu4nVYEgY8
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) September 17, 2018
“This was an overwhelming decision, but I’m at peace with myself and my family. I choose to be grateful to God for allowing me to play the game that I have loved as a boy until I turned 30 years old. I choose to be grateful to God for being a part of the NFL and making lifelong friends over the last decade. There were roadblocks and pitfalls along the way, but I am grateful to God for all of it because he doesn’t promise any of us an easy journey,” said Davis. “Lastly, I am grateful to God for what he has in store for me ahead, in this next chapter of my life.”
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