Anquan Boldin has reportedly hung up his cleats. Here is a tribute to the great wide receiver, who left a huge imprint on Ravens history:
Anquan Boldin was one of the best Baltimore Ravens players of all-time. He helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII. He only played three seasons with the Ravens, yet he became one of the most central characters in the story of Baltimore football. Boldin is one of the rare players to be one of the best receivers for two different franchises. Not only was he one of the best Ravens of all-time, but he is in the company of the most elite Arizona Cardinals.
Not counting the Bills, who he recently signed with, Boldin played for four teams in the NFL. He ends his career with 1,076 receptions, 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns. Outside of Baltimore, he is probably best known for his time in Arizona. Boldin played in Cardinals red and white for the first seven years of his career. In those seven seasons, in five of them he had over 1,000 receiving yards.
The 2012 Playoff Run:
The biggest highlight of his career was the 2012 playoff run with the Ravens. In that postseason, Boldin had 22 receptions and four touchdowns. He caught a touchdown in every playoff game except the miraculous win against the Denver Broncos. His touchdown receptions against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game were huge.
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The play that was the most vintage Boldin play of his career was in Super Bowl XLVII. It was a crucial third and short. Joe Flacco made an audible from a run play, to a quick strike to Boldin. Boldin caught the back shoulder pass for the crucial first down. When the moment mattered the most, Flacco trusted Boldin to come up with the play.
Trading Boldin to the 49ers will forever be one of the least popular decisions in the history of the Ravens.
What Makes Him Special:
Boldin was the toughest player on the football field. He was never a speed demon of a wide receiver. He had to make his impact by making contested catches, by using his big body to box out defenders and leaping up into the air. When Boldin had the football he ran like a running back. It was almost as if he was possessed by a bull and he saw red. No matter how you slice it, Boldin was one of the most inspired play-makers the game of football ever saw.
When you look back at Boldin’s career a few things stick out. First of all, he was one heck of a leader. He led by example. He put his body on the line to make plays for his team. On every single snap he gave his best effort. He was not a diva receiver. With Boldin, it was all about the team.
Boldin showed an unbelievable amount of heart on the football field. He had that extra something special. On top of incredible talent, Boldin had the intangibles. Here is what defined the career of Anquan Boldin: When the team needed a play the most, they called his name.
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Baltimore, Arizona, San Francisco and Detroit, I urge all of you to give Boldin a standing ovation. Shout out your praises for Boldin. He reminded us why we love the game of football. His game was old school and physical, yet there will never be a player quite like him.