Bills CB Vontae Davis pulls self from game, retires at halftime
Sep 16, 2018, 4:05 PM | Updated: 6:44 pm
Buffalo Bills' Vontae Davis, center, gets up after Los Angeles Chargers' Mike Williams, right, scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
(AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills veteran cornerback Vontae Davis created a significant stir by leaving the team at halftime, coach Sean McDermott said.
The Bills trailed the Los Angeles Chargers 28-6 at the half. According to ESPN reporter Mike Rodak, David retired at that time.
“Pulled himself out of the game,” McDermott said. “He communicated to us that he was done.”
That move didn’t sit well with Buffalo’s two senior defensive leaders.
“I think the only thing to say is he’s where he needs to be right now,” tackle Kyle Williams said.
Asked where that might be, Williams responded: “That’s not here point blank and simple.”
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Defensive end Lorenzo Alexander was equally blunt when asked about Davis.
“I don’t have nothing to say about Vontae so I’ll give him a little bit more respect than he showed us today as far as quitting on us in the middle of the game,” Alexander said.
He added: “Never seen it, ever. Pop Warner. High school. College. Pros.”
Davis was credited with one tackle. He’s a 10-year veteran who signed a one-year contract in free agency in March.
The Bills provided Davis a chance to re-start his career after a dispute with former Colts coach Chuck Pagano led to Indianapolis cutting him in November.
After the game, David released a statement, saying that the injuries he’s dealt with and the physical toll the last few weeks have taken got to him
“Today on the field, the reality hit me fast and hard; I shouldn’t be out there anymore,” he wrote.
Vontae Davis released a statement regarding his unexpected retirement at halftime. (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Cx9ziowlkY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 16, 2018
Davis made his Bills’ debut against the Chargers after being inactive against Baltimore last week.
The Bills defense wilted in the first half in allowing the Chargers 17 first downs and 284 yards.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers finished 23 of 27 for 256 yards and three touchdowns, including a 10-yarder to Mike Williams, 5.5 minutes in.
Los Angeles beat the Bills 31-20.
