By Robert Davies
Buffalo Bills cornerback Vontae Davis sent shockwaves through the NFL when he abruptly retired at halftime in the Bills’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 16. The Bills ultimately lost the game 31-20.
This unprecedented move was a quick decision by Davis. “I went to the bench after that series and it just hit me,” Davis said, according to USA Today. He continued, “I don’t belong on that field anymore.”
Davis had only played one full game with the Bills. Prior to his time with the Bills, he played with the Indianapolis Colts for six seasons and the Miami Dolphins for three seasons.
Davis, 30, cited “physical challenges” as the reason behind his decision in a statement.
“This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL,” Davis said in the statement. He added, “But in my tenth 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…But today on the field, reality hit me fast and hard: I shouldn’t be out there anymore.”
Davis’s coach and teammates did not seem to appreciate the sudden exit.
CBS Sports reports that coach Sean McDermott told reporters “I don’t want to get into all that” following the game.
CBS Sports also reported that linebacker Lorenzo Alexander told reporters “Never seen anything like that– Pop Warner, high school, college, pros. Never heard of it, never seen it, and it’s just completely disrespectful [to] his teammates.”
Makayla Rogers ‘19 said “I think it was really disrespectful to his teammates and the game as a whole. He was a good player, but with an attitude like that and no sense of duty to his team, I think his leaving may be better for the Bills in the long run.”
Davis is sticking by his decision. “Leaving was therapeutic,” he said, according to CBS Sports.
USA Today also quoted him saying “the crazy thing is that people automatically assumed that something was wrong with me mentally. I feel great. I haven’t felt like this in…well, my whole life.”
Troubled times are likely ahead for the already embattled Bills. They have yet to win a game this season, and are currently in last place in the AFC East. Their next game is against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 23.