Rishard Matthews calls out ‘brainwashing,’ ‘fakeness’ in NFL in retirement message

Rishard Matthews, a former wide receiver most recently with the New Orleans Saints, announced his retirement from the NFL Monday with a message about the NFL’s “brainwashing” and “fakeness.”

The 29-year-old California native published an Instagram post about the things that “no longer exist” in his post-NFL career, including time spent away from family and “just pure fakeness.” 

Matthews was released from the Saints after he left training camp Saturday. He signed with New Orleans in June. He previously played for the Dolphins, Titans and Jets over the past seven seasons.

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Rishard Matthews the football player No Longer Exist & it’s okay. In life regardless of the right or wrong decisions I’ve made. I’ve always moved forward with the understanding that regardless of what I’m going through someone is going through something a shit ton worse than my bull shit. For athletes it’s important to understand & Move the fuck on. One of the Greatest Coaches I’ve been around Coach Rizzi used to say when it’s time to make a play in sports. You think people give a fuck that your tired or hurt. FUCK NO. Apply that to life. Whatever happens. There’s another day & plenty others after that. Move the fuck on No Body Gives A fuck about You Or your problems ✌🏾✌🏾

A post shared by Rishard Matthews (@rishardmatthews) on Aug 12, 2019 at 8:07am PDT

“The brainwashing & dividing of culture for a small piece of jewelry No Longer Exist,” he wrote Monday morning. “Being around too much Ego to even understand that someone has the same skin as you No Longer Exist.”

Matthews called professional football a “kids game” in his conclusion.