Why did Vontae Davis retire in the middle of the game?
In a move that shocked the NFL, former Buffalo Bills cornerback Vontae Davis decided to hang up his cleats and all it quits when he retired from the NFL during halftime of Sunday’s against the Los Angeles Chargers. After he announced his retirement, he didn’t bother returning to the field to play the second half.
Davis, 30, is a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback and has played in in the NFL for 10 seasons before making the surprise decision to retire abruptly from the league.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Davis had left the game.
“Pulled himself out of the game,” McDermott said to reporters. “He communicated to us that he was done.”
Why did Vontae Davis retire from NFL?
While some players may retire from sports for health concerns, there was no sign or mention of any health issue with the star cornerback. In a statement released to the NFL, Davis apologized for his abrupt departure and said he didn’t mean to disrespect his teammates.
While there was no clue that a health issue forced his retirement, his full statement reveals that he no longer wants to continue sacrificing his mind and body each week playing in the NFL and said he would rather walk away from the game now while he’s healthy and be able enjoy his family. In his statement, he simply said, “I shouldn’t be out there anymore.”
Vontae Davis full statement to NFL
Official statement from CB @vontaedavis. pic.twitter.com/8WXszhnrUo
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2018
Vontae Davis quits, Twitter reacts
Following his jaw-dropping announcement, some people took to Twitter to applaud Davis for being honest with himself and deciding to walk away from, while others reacted with criticism and memes.
@vontaedavis #NFL #VontaeDavis Vontae Davis, Much Respect! I can only imagine how the NFL players suffer in pain. I love the sport but I have only respect for your decision. God Bless you and your family.
— Darren Daly (@darrenedaly) September 17, 2018
I got respect for Vontae Davis! Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and what is best for you & your family, but not everyone is going to see your vision and that’s okay because that’s what makes your journey special.
— Franco (@_Franco91) September 17, 2018
Vontae Davis featured in newest Nike ad… pic.twitter.com/RE9rsfL6E6
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) September 17, 2018
Completely understand why any player would step away bc of injuries. I don’t care if it’s before, after,or during the season. But if he was so concerned about his body he should’ve realized that 2 hours earlier or 2 hours afterwards. He should’ve been respectful of his teammates.
— Beth (@bethh006) September 17, 2018
Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander told reporters he didn’t have much to say about the Vontae Davis incident but did mention that he was going to show him more than he did to the rest of the team.
Lorenzo Alexander on Vontae Davis quitting. #billsmafia #LACvsBUF pic.twitter.com/cT6in894ft
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) September 16, 2018
Vontae at halftime pic.twitter.com/0Nrfd48CSm
— Adam Schefter (@AdrianSchefter) September 16, 2018
Get out of here with this nonsense. Then you tell the coaches that you can’t go and you stand on the sidelines for a half instead of bailing. You bailed. Plain and simple. Wrap any bow around that pile of shit announcement you want, but that’s how you’ll be known now.
— Mike Honcho (@MoShady) September 16, 2018
Vontae Davis pulled a real life Madden move… pic.twitter.com/GSoo35SdfZ
— Michael Grady (@Grady) September 16, 2018
The Twitter account Old Player Tweets unearthed a tweet by Vontae Davis from 2013. “The people who succeed in life are those who don’t quit. ”
Unless you play for the Bills, right Vontae Davis? pic.twitter.com/EgkxipSiHP
— Old Player Tweets (@OldPlayerTweets) September 16, 2018
Vontae Davis contract: What happens next?
Davis reportedly signed a one-year contract in February with the Bills for around $4 million after previously playing with the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts. USA Today reports that the Bills have already paid Davis for most of his contract through bonuses and other guaranteed payments, but the team will be able to recoup most of it.
Vontae Davis’ 1 year contract w/ the #Bills included a $1.5M signing bonus (paid), a $250k workout bonus (paid) a $2.25M base salary (guaranteed), a $750k 46-man active bonus ($46,875 earned), & a $250k 53-man active bonus ($31,250 earned): a little over $4M cash.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) September 17, 2018
Former sports agent Joel Corry explains how the Bills can recoup most of the contract money. If you’re wondering what happened to Sunday’s game, the Bills lost to the Rams 31-20 and are now 0-2 to start the season. If other players on the team share the same sentiments as Alexander, they will probably use this incident as inspiration to get them through the season.
