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SPORTS Tuesday 22 augusT 2017
Boldin turns focus from NFL to bridging racial divisions

By JOHN WAWROW the problems that we have just to play with Sammy
AP Sports Writer in this country? Of course Watkins,” Boldin said, reiter-
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. not,” he said. ating comments he made
(AP) — A deadly, racially “But I think I have a duty immediately following Wat-
charged conflict in Char- to stand up and make kins’ trade to the Los Ange-
lottesville, Virginia, caused my voice heard and be a les Rams.
Anquan Boldin to re-assess voice for those who don’t “For me to put some
his priorities and led to the have a voice.” thought into anything like,
Buffalo Bills receiver’s de- The NFL’s 2015 Walter Pay- ‘This is not what I signed up
cision to retire after 14 NFL ton Man of the Year, Boldin for,’ would be absurd.”
seasons. oversees the South Florida- He discounted the notion
In an interview Monday on based Q81 Foundation, that he might reconsider
SiriusXM NFL Radio, Boldin which offers educational retirement and choose to
said he’s “uncomfortable” support for underprivileged play for a contender later
with how divided the na- children. He has become this season.
tion is and wants to dedi- an advocate for crimi- “Do I feel like I can still play? In this Aug. 8, 2017, file photo, newly acquired Buffalo Bills re-
cate his entire focus to nal justice reform since his Of course,” the 36-year-old ceiver Anquan Boldin makes a catch during passing drills at NFL
humanitarian and criminal cousin was killed by a plain- Boldin said. football training camp in Pittsford, N.Y.
justice causes. clothes police officer along “My passion for the advo- Associated Press
“I always felt like football the side of a Florida high- cacy work that I do out- depending on you,” Boldin sideline.
would be my passion, foot- way in October 2015. weighs football at this point, said, mentioning running Boldin ranks in the top four
ball would be the path to Boldin spoke to SiriusXM a so I’m not coming back to back LeSean McCoy and among active receivers
a lot of things,” Boldin said. day after abruptly inform- play for a contender or to quarterback Tyrod Taylor. with 1,076 catches, 13,779
“But just seeing the things ing the Bills he was retiring do anything else. I’m done Boldin’s decision to retire yards receiving and 82
that transpired over the last some two weeks after sign- with the game of football.” coincides with what he wit- touchdowns receiving.
week or so, I think for me, ing a one-year contract The only regret Boldin had nessed on the field in Phil- He spent last season with
there’s something bigger with a base salary of $1.75 was feeling he let down his adelphia during the pre- Detroit, where he had 67
than football at this point.” million. teammates and coaches game national anthem. catches for 584 yards and
He then clarified that he Boldin insisted his decision after being committed to Eagles defensive end Chris eight touchdowns in 16
was referring specifically to had nothing to do with Bills helping the team and serv- Long showed his support games.
what happened in Charlot- trading their top receiving ing as a mentor for Buffalo’s by putting his arm around The former Florida State
tesville on Aug. 13, when a threat, Sammy Watkins, in young group of receivers. cornerback Malcolm Jen- star spent his first seven NFL
counter-protester and two a pair of blockbuster deals “For me walking away isn’t kins, who stood in silent pro- seasons with Arizona, then
Virginia state police officers on Aug. 11, or how the an easy thing especially test with a raised fist. Bills played three years with Bal-
were killed during a rally in- team’s offense struggled when you’ve got guys that backup lineman Cameron timore and three with San
volving neo-Nazis and oth- in a 20-16 preseason loss at you know were looking for- Jefferson was so inspired by Francisco. He helped the
er right-wing groups. Philadelphia on Thursday. ward to working with you, what he saw that he also Ravens win the Super Bowl
“Do I think I can solve all “I didn’t come to Buffalo were looking forward to raised his fist on Buffalo’s in February 2013.q

NASCAR strongly there is no place

for bigotry, racism, hatred
or violence in our society.”
Continued from Page 17 France has said nothing as Three days earlier, popular
his family business rolls into driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
On stage with him that day its final stretch of the sum- had been eloquent about
were several active NAS- mer — races in Tennessee, the responsibility he feels to
CAR drivers, and although South Carolina and Virgin- use his platform to speak
France was later adamant ia. out against such things.
his presidential endorse- Instead, it was Camping “It’s sad and frustrating to
ment was personal, it was World CEO Marcus Lem- see what happened,” he
too late to alter the optics onis, the sponsor of NAS- said of Charlottesville. “It’s
that NASCAR leadership is CAR’s third-tier national really frustrating because
aligned with Trump. truck series, who said we ought to be better
Trump even said at that customers who support than that. We ought to be
2016 rally: “If the people Trump’s comments regard- Kyle Busch (18) leads the field during a NASCAR Xfinity Series smarter than that, than to
that like and watch NAS- ing the rally should shop auto race on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Bristol, Tenn. be trying to tear each oth-
CAR vote for Donald elsewhere. Hall of Fame Associated Press er apart. We ought to be
Trump, they can cancel driver Mark Martin respond- campgrounds last week- address current events in a working together, but it just
the election right now. ed on Twitter, claiming he end at Bristol Motor Speed- statement provided to out- seems like that is getting
Nobody else can win. No- was canceling an order way. The Saturday night lets that requested one. At- harder and harder to do
body.” for a $150,000 recreational race was in part sponsored tributed to recently named and there is less and less of
Trump’s election has been vehicle; his fans were near by the National Rifle As- NASCAR President Brent that.”
sharply polarizing for the unanimous in their support sociation. So like it or not, Dewar, it read: “NASCAR This is a delicate time in
nation, and his decision of Martin’s decision. NASCAR and its alliances brings fans of all different NASCAR, where drivers are
to blame “both sides” But on Monday, Martin do cross into the political backgrounds and points of losing their jobs because
for a white nationalist backtracked. He posted arena. Because of that, view together to celebrate sponsorship dollars are
rally in Charlottesville, Vir- on Twitter that he’d spoken and the waters France has one thing they all have in decreasing. Chip Ganassi
ginia, that turned deadly to Lemonis and regretted already entered, the sanc- common — a love for NAS- fields cars across numer-
prompted a number of his original tweet. tioning body doesn’t get a CAR. We are saddened ous racing platforms and
CEOs to step back from There were dozens of Con- pass in a time of unrest. by recent tragic events is searching for money just
the president. federate flags flying at the On Sunday, NASCAR did around the world and feel like everyone else.q