Anquan Boldin Shocked By Trade To San Francisco 49ers

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) runs against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers (22) in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

After winning his first career Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, wide receiver Anquan Boldin pledged his allegiance to the Ravens. He said if they released him he would retire cause he couldn’t imagine playing for another franchise and he didn’t want to. But at the same time he put the Ravens in a bad spot by refusing to restructure his deal.

“You know, for me it was an initial shock because I had no clue that I was going to be traded,” Boldin told ESPN. “So for me, it was shocking at first, but I mean it, for me it is also a good thing. You know, when I look at the organization and what they’re about, and as a football team, the talent that they have, I think it’s a good, good place for me to be.”

But despite his love for the Ravens, the organization with Vince Lombardi Trophy in hand kicked him out the door anyways. But at least to a team that can contend for another title. Boldin isn’t holding any ill will towards the Ravens for their move.

“My time with the Ravens has been great. For me, I’m very thankful for all the support of the fans. I’m very thankful for the organization, the things that they’ve done for me and my family. It’s been a great locker room. You know, I was brought to Baltimore to win a championship and, you know, we were able to do that, so I feel accomplished. I definitely don’t feel like I’ve left anything behind as far as on the football field in Baltimore, but there’s a lot of great people that I am going to miss. You know, for me, it’s a little bittersweet because, you know, I always thought that Baltimore would be my last stop. I gave my all to the city, so I don’t have any regrets from that part. You know, sometimes the business part of this, of football, you don’t let things end the way that you want it to.”

But his pledge to retire is being retracted. A team like San Francisco with Super Bowl potential has him thinking about sticking around for another season.

“You know, it’s cool,” Boldin said. “Like I said, you know, to be where San Francisco is and was, you know, the team that we played in the Super Bowl, a team that’s very close, a team that I feel like is on the cusp and hopefully I can go there and help them achieve the goals they have in mind.”