Rishard Matthews retires days after leaving Saints

Wide receiver Rishard Matthews announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, days after he parted ways with the New Orleans Saints on a "left team" designation.

Matthews wrote on Instagram that the "endless training" that kept him away from his family and the "brainwashing" of football culture led to his decision.

The 29-year-old joined the Saints in June after a minicamp tryout. Head coach Sean Payton said it was Matthews' decision to leave the team.

Matthews was the Tennessee Titans' top receiver during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He accumulated 65 receptions for nine touchdowns and a career-high 945 yards in 2016.

The former seventh-round pick asked for his release from the Titans due to a lack of playing time. He joined the New York Jets in October 2018, playing in five games and recording only two catches before being placed on injured reserve in December.