WR Matthews retires days after leaving Saints
Broad receiver Rishard Matthews introduced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, two days after he was launched by the New Orleans Saints with a “left workforce” designation.
In an Instagram publish, Matthews wrote that he was fed up by feeling he was disposable as an NFL participant and that though he’ll all the time be a fan of the NFL, he won’t miss the “fakeness” or “brainwashing” that he endured within the league.
In a press release titled “No Longer Exist,” Matthews wrote:
“The sport has given me and household a lot however that No Longer Exist … Beating your physique up time and again for teams of individuals to present out a small % of the earnings that they do not even want me No Longer Exist … The infinite coaching & hours away from my household No Longer Exist …
“The brainwashing & dividing of tradition for a small piece of jewellery No Longer Exist … Being round an excessive amount of Ego to even perceive that somebody has the identical pores and skin as you No Longer Exist … Individuals utilizing me for Leisure and never understanding that i Am a Black Man in America No Longer Exist
“As a receiver, folks controlling your success No Longer Exist … Being round simply pure fakeness No Longer Exist … The crowds cheering No Longer Exist … The Touchdowns, Massive Catches Enjoyable Occasions No Longer Exist … All of the folks that by no means discuss to you then hit you up for tickets after they see you are near them pondering you get them free of charge & act loopy when you’ll be able to’t get them for them No Longer Exist (lol)
“I’m grateful to have change into financially free however that revenue No Longer Exist (lol) … It was cool being a Skilled Soccer Participant and attending to play a youngsters recreation for work I’ll all the time be a fan of the most effective sport on this planet however for me that Children recreation No Longer Exist”
On Saturday, Saints coach Sean Payton confirmed that it was Matthews’ resolution to go away the workforce, including, “It is not for everybody.”
Matthews, 29, joined the Saints in June after a minicamp tryout. However he was taking part in with the backup items all through coaching camp. He caught one go for 7 yards whereas taking part in 20 snaps in Friday night time’s preseason opener in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings.
Matthews was the Tennessee Titans’ prime receiver from the 2016 and 2017 seasons, however he requested for his launch final 12 months due to a diminished function and wound up catching simply 5 passes for 24 yards in a complete of eight video games with the Titans and New York Jets.
Matthews additionally requested a commerce earlier than his remaining season with the Miami Dolphins in 2015 whereas skipping voluntary exercises, however he stayed with the workforce for yet one more season.
The 6-foot, 217-pounder has 230 profession catches for three,160 yards and 21 touchdowns in seven years.
ESPN’s Mike Triplett contributed to this report.