Bryant Mitchell’s days as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are over without his ever stepping on to the field for the club. Signed this past February as a free agent, the veteran receiver informed the club on Thursday that he was retiring from the game.
Bryant Mitchell (@_Bmitch16) has informed the team that he is retiring from professional football.
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) March 25, 2021
This afternoon multiple members of our organization spoke with Bryant Mitchell, who informed us of his decision to retire from the game. While we were definitely looking forward to seeing him in Blue & Gold, we certainly respect his decision and wish him & his family the best.
— Darren Cameron (@Darren_Cameron) March 25, 2021
Mitchell posted his retirement announcement on his social media platforms and included on his Instagram post a photograph of himself being carted off the field as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after tearing his Achilles during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.
View this post on Instagram
“God told me this in my last game ever.. who knew this would be the last game I ever played professionally? Now I have decided to walk away from the game! God has been so good to me in this time. A kid who left high school with no offers, went to two different junior colleges and stayed 3 years before playing, left to D1AA and no offers from NFL. Took the CFL route and got CUT! Sat out a whole year and worked at an online college. Had the opportunity to go back. Practice squad, played 1 game that year. Second year played in 7 games. Third year played in 11 games and led the league the last 9 weeks. Signed in Arizona and got cut! Then got picked up in Tampa and tore my Achilles. It’s been such an experience and journey and I thank God for it all!! Wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything. But now it’s time to be the man of God he’s called me to be. The father he’s called me to be! I’m walking away content in Godliness. Excited for what’s to come. To the Edmonton Eskimos @azcardinals @buccaneers @wpgbluebomberscfl @cfl @nfl thank you! You gave a young boy with big dreams a chance to live out those dreams. I’m forever grateful. “Batman Out!” ✌🏿God’s now about to truly get the glory!!
Fully recovered from his Achilles injury, Mitchell attended training camp with the Bucs in 2020 but was released in early September. He joined the Bombers in February and was widely-regarded across the CFL as one of the shrewdest moves in free agency after pulling in 60 passes for 867 yards and three TDs in just 11 games with Edmonton in 2018. That splash led him to signing with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.
The Mitchell announcement leaves the Bombers with the same receiving corps that dressed for the 2019 Grey Cup, including Darvin Adams, Nic Demski, Kenny Lawler, Drew Wolitarsky and Rasheed Bailey. As well, returner/receivers Janarion Grant and Charles Nelson will be back and be bolstered by the usual collection of college prospects and pros unearthed by the scouting staff.
