The Falcons are going to have a whole new look at wide receiver next year.
The team announced it was releasing veteran wideout Roddy White, ending a brilliant 11-year run with the team.
“Roddy is one of the greatest players to ever put on a Falcons uniform, and even more importantly he is a man of tremendous character that I and my entire family have profound personal affection and respect for,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement released by the team. “I have developed a special relationship with him over the years, my children have grown admiring him and our partners and I all share a debt of gratitude for what he has meant to us and our team. Truly, there are no words to adequately express my thanks for all he has meant to me, my family, the Falcons and to this community, both on and off the field. He has been a difference maker in every way and has touched numerous lives here in Atlanta.
“Roddy will forever be part of the Falcons family and I’m confident our fans will always remember and be grateful for the exemplary way he has represented them over the last 11 years. We wish him nothing but the very best and, on a personal level, we look forward to a lifetime relationship with Roddy and his family.”
The 34-year-old receiver said recently he was betting he’d be back, but he lost that wager, and the $4.25 million he was scheduled to make this year.
He’s the Falcons’ all-time leader with 808 catches, 10,863 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns. The 2005 first-rounder became less and less of a part of the offense last year, and wasn’t above grumbling about it. Now, he gets to see if anyone else is willing to ask him to do more than block.