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When he was first coming into the league, former NFL quarterback Blake Bortles famously said that if he wasn’t a professional football player, then he’d likely be “working construction, ripping cigs.”
According to Barstool Sports — who Bortles delivered that iconic line about construction and cigs to all those years ago — the former first-round draft pick is apparently living out his dream as he’s apparently been helping out the construction crew that’s been working on his house.
Bortles the Builder pic.twitter.com/IEtzC67jS2
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 27, 2023
Drafted out of the University of Central Florida as the third overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2014 NFL Draft, Bortles spent eight seasons in the NFL before retiring at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
During his time in the league, Bortles played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, and New Orleans Saints.
His only time as a starter, however, came during his five seasons in Jacksonville. Bortles had a decent three-year stretch with the Jaguars — he started in every game from 2015 to 2017 — and even led them to the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots in 2017.
Over the course of his career, Bortles compiled a 24-49 record while completing 59.3% of his passes for 17,649 yards, 103 touchdowns, and 75 interceptions. He also rushed for another 1,766 yards and eight touchdowns.