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The Chicago Bears are down a wide receiver on Sunday following Devin Thomas' announcement that he is retiring from football. The Bears have yet to release a statement on the matter other than that Thomas has left the team. However, Thomas has already gone on Twitter to tell us that he is no longer going to play football:
I have decided to retire from the NFL.
— Devin Thomas (@IamDevinThomas) August 5, 2012
Thomas also added that he is returning home to Ann Arbor, Mich., to become a mentor and teach football:
God has blessed me w achieving a childhood dream. I want to give back to my hometown and coach/mentor kids so they can reach their own. 1LUV
— Devin Thomas (@IamDevinThomas) August 5, 2012
Thomas, who attended Michigan State, was the 34th overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He played three seasons for the Redskins, catching 40 balls for 445 yards and three touchdown passes. In 2010, he caught on with the Carolina Panthers for a game before joining the New York Giants late in the season. Thomas was pivotal in the NFC Championship Game as he recovered two fumbles, including one in overtime to help set up the game-winning score.
He signed with the Bears this offseason in late March. He was likely to be stuck in a special teams role with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery in the lead roles and Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and Dane Sanzenbacher all competing for spots on the depth chart.
For more on the bears, visit Windy City Gridiron. Head over to SB Nation NFL for more news and notes as we approach the new season.
