Donald Jones has announced that he is retiring from playing in the NFL because of a kidney disease.

The former Buffalo Bills wide receiver has battled the condition throughout his life, but decided to quit the sport after his blood pressure spiked dangerously during a physical with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this year.

The 25-year-old told Fox Sports: "I'll always look at it like I was definitely an up-and-coming guy who had a bright future ahead of him, but if I look at it that way, I'll just get down.

"I just try to be positive about everything and realize everything happens for a reason. Playing in the NFL, for me, was bigger than just playing. I want to get [kidney and health] awareness up. Playing in the NFL was just a stepping stone to get my awareness up."

Jones had a brief spell with the New England Patriots earlier this year, but was released in July.

Last season, Jones recorded 443 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns for the Bills.