Veteran WR Cole Beasley retires after 11 NFL seasons

Large receiver Cole Beasley has determined to retire from the NFL after 11 seasons, his agent mentioned Wednesday.

“He is able to be along with his household after enjoying 11 seasons and it is time to be a full-time dad and husband,” agent Joel Turner advised ESPN.

“His spouse and youngsters are nonetheless again house in Texas. They got here out for the primary recreation, went by way of the evacuation final week which the Tampa Bay group hasn’t obtained close to the credit score they deserve for the best way they dealt with that ordeal [Hurricane Ian] — nothing however firstclass by the Glazer household, [general manager] Jason [Licht] and [head coach] Todd [Bowles] . He would not wish to be separated from them anymore. He loves his spouse and youngsters and needs to be with them.”

Beasley, 33, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ follow squad on Sept. 20, and was known as as much as the energetic roster 4 days later. He noticed motion in two video games — in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — with 4 catches for 17 receiving yards. Beasley mentioned upon signing with the Bucs that he did not know if he’d ever get one other alternative to play once more.

“For a younger man that got here out of SMU that not one all-star recreation invited to play in, who ready for his professional day figuring out by himself on campus and who 31 different groups within the NFL handed on as an undrafted free agent with solely the Dallas Cowboys providing him a contract — he has had an unbelievable profession!” Turner mentioned. “We couldn’t be prouder of him in each side and recognize every group that he performed for and allowed him to stay the American dream. Cole at all times gave it his all!”

The Buffalo Payments had granted Beasley permission to hunt a commerce in early March however finally launched him.

Beasley completed with a career-best 82 receptions in each the 2020 and ’21 seasons with the Payments, who he signed with as a free agent in 2019. Nevertheless, he was fined a number of occasions for violating the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols final season and was an outspoken critic of the league’s COVID-19 insurance policies, which have been relaxed this season. Beasley, who’s unvaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, missed a recreation final season after testing constructive for the virus.

He mentioned final yr that he did not have an issue with individuals being vaccinated or unvaccinated, however the potential to decide on is necessary to him.

Beasley started his profession with the Cowboys, who he signed with as an undrafted free agent in 2012, and developed into one of many NFL’s higher slot receivers due to his potential to seek out tender spots in zone coverages whereas additionally possessing elite quickness that made him troublesome to match up in man-to-man protection.

He finishes his profession with 554 receptions for five,726 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was by no means chosen to a Professional Bowl however was named a Second Staff All-Professional by The Related Press in 2020 when he set profession highs in receptions and yards (967).

ESPN’s Jenna Laine contributed to this report.