Veteran WR Cole Beasley retires after 11 NFL seasons
Wide receiver Cole Beasley has decided to retire from the NFL after 11 seasons, his agent said Wednesday.
«He is ready to be with his family after playing 11 seasons and it's time to be a full-time dad and husband,» agent Joel Turner told ESPN.
«His wife and kids are still back home in Texas. They came out for the first game, went through the evacuation last week which the Tampa Bay organization hasn't received near the credit they deserve for the way they handled that ordeal [Hurricane Ian] — nothing but first class by the Glazer family, [general manager] Jason [Licht] and [head coach] Todd [Bowles]. He doesn't want to be separated from them anymore. He loves his wife and kids and wants to be with them.»
Beasley, 33, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad on Sept. 20, and was called up to the active roster four days later. He saw action in two games — against the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs — with four catches for 17 receiving yards. Beasley said upon signing with the Bucs that he didn't know if he'd ever get another opportunity to play again.
«For a young man that came out of SMU that not one all-star game invited to play in, who prepared for his pro day working out by himself on campus and who 31 other teams in the NFL passed on as an undrafted free agent with only the Dallas Cowboys offering him a contract — he has had an incredible career!» Turner said. «We could not be prouder of him in every facet and appreciate each organization that he played for and allowed him to live the American dream. Cole always gave it his all!»
The Buffalo Bills had granted Beasley permission to seek a trade in early March but ultimately released him.
Beasley finished with a career-best 82 receptions in both