A sudden decision to retire - midway through Sunday's game - added a unique twist to an already frustrating start to the 2018 National Football League season for the Buffalo Bills. Vontae Davis trotted off the field with his Bills teammates at halftime, but never returned to finish the game.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, following the 31-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field, offered only a bried explanation.
"He pulled himself out of the game," he said. "He communicated to us that he was done."
Davis, who was in his 10th NFL season and first with the Bills, stated on his Twitter account that it wasn't how he envisioned retiring from the league but while on the field had the thought "I shouldn't be out there anymore."
His teammates say they never saw it coming.
"My guess is as good as you guys," said player Rafael Bush. "I've never experiences in my nine years of playing a guy just give up on their teammates, in the middle of a game."
Bush added that "we're a family." It's from that sense of family that other teammates admit a feeling of betrayal.
"I think that's the hard part about it," said player Kyle Williams. "You really can't wrap your mind around it."
Davis, in his Twitter statement, said he means no disrespect to his teammates but is at peace with his decision.
(Audio of player reactions used in Michael Mroziak's report is provided to WBFO courtesy of Matt Parrino of NYUP.com.)
