Former UCF quarterback Blake Bortles introduced his retirement from soccer on the Pardon My Take podcast.
Bortles instructed Barstool Sports that he made the choice to hold up his cleats months in the past however didn’t inform anybody till this week.
“I have not touched a football since January,” stated Bortles, who shined at UCF earlier than being chosen third general by the Jaguars within the 2014 NFL Draft. “I have officially retired.”
After turning into the best drafted Knight in program historical past, Bortles spent the primary 5 years of his profession in Jacksonville. In 2015, he threw probably the most passing touchdowns (35) and yards in a season (4,428 yards) in franchise historical past.
Two years later, Bortles led the Jaguars to the AFC Championship, coming one recreation wanting reaching the Super Bowl.
Jacksonville, nonetheless, moved on Bortles following the 2018 season by which he went 3-9 because the workforce’s beginning quarterback.
Bortles frolicked with the Rams, Broncos, Packers and Saints after his time in Jacksonville. He hasn’t performed in an NFL recreation since 2019.
Last yr, Bortles was inducted into the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame.
The Oviedo product was American Athletic Conference offensive participant of the yr as a senior in 2013 and led UCF to this system’s first AAC championship that yr.
In the 2014 Fiesta Bowl, Bortles guided UCF to a 52-42 win over fifth-rated Baylor.
“I didn’t think there was ever a chance I would play college football,” Bortles stated on the time. “I didn’t think much past what my next meal was, so future goals weren’t all that prevalent in my mind.”
He went on to throw for greater than 17,000 yards and 103 touchdowns to go together with 75 interceptions throughout his professional profession.
Although he’s retired, Bortles instructed the podcast that he would return to the sector if supplied a $15 million contract.
“I’m pretty set with where I’m at in the decision,” he stated. “I mean, if somebody were dumb enough to offer that kind of money, then it’s kind of hard to pass on.”
For now, the previous UCF quarterback is finished with soccer. And he’s nonetheless being attentive to his alma mater.
“It’s been incredible to watch,” Bortles stated final yr. “The evolution of the program and the way it’s changed, the way the whole campus has changed, the city around it … it’s a totally different place.”
Email Jason Beede at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com