Sports

Rounding Up The Best Reactions To Seeing Jaguars Legend Blake Bortles Publicly Announce Retirement

#Blake Bortles
by

Getty Image


Blake Bortles publicly announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, officially ending a six-year career. Bortles was the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, spending the majority of his time in Jacksonville. The quarterback also had a short stint in Los Angeles, as well as time on the practice squads in Green Bay, New Orleans, and Denver.

Bortles is best remembered for his 2017 playoff run. After leading the Jaguars to 10 wins, he racked up postseason victories over the Steelers and Bills before falling in the AFC Championship, 24-20, to the Patriots.

For his career, the passer totaled 17,649 yards and 103 touchdowns. He also threw 75 picks over 78 games. Bortles is the ultimate anomaly. He’d make a fantastic play followed by an unthinkable error.

Take his 2015 season, for example. He threw for a career-high 4,428 yards, led the league in game-winning drives, and had the longest pass of the season. He also led the NFL in interceptions and sacks.

And in that 2017 campaign, he looked mediocre on the field before exploding for that remarkable playoff run.

Bortles still holds multiple franchise record in Jacksonville, and honestly, the Jaguars haven’t been relevant since he left. For that reason, many were sad to see his announcement.

Grabbing the best reactions from Blake Bortles’ retirement

Bortles made his retirement announcement on the Pardon My Take podcast, and it’s caused quite the reaction on social media.

“I quietly retired. I just didn’t tell anyone. I guess you guys are the first to hear it, publicly.”

Fans are remembering his time in the NFL, as well as the stories that came along with it.

For example, there’s the time he intercepted a would-be burglar and made a citizen’s arrest until police arrived. Or when he fed first responders after a deadly shooting in Jacksonville.

Many remember the hilarious clip of him saying he’d be “working construction, ripping cigs” if he wasn’t an NFL star. Maybe he’ll finally get a chance to live out his dream.

A few others posted some of their favorite quotes/memories from Bortles throughout his playing days.

Others posted his terrific playoff numbers, some of which even best the GOAT, Tom Brady.

This fan summed up Bortles’ career perfectly by saying, “I don’t know if there is a more fascinating player in Jaguars franchise history than Blake Bortles – when it comes to performance vs. fan respect/affinity vs. place in team history with 2017 season. It’s an odd, yet cool relationship between Blake and the fan base.”

What will we think of the quarterback’s career 50 years down the line? It’s safe to say that there will be many different interpretations of his time in the league.

And with that, we say our final farewells.

The NFL lost a legend today.