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.
Sian Cowper
