The first day of Dallas Renegades’ mini-camp opened up with one of its most recognizable players retiring before stepping on the field for the first XFL game of the season.
Dallas Morning News Sports Reporter Joseph Hoyt tweeted on Thursday that a team spokesman told him that former University of Oklahoma wide receiver and Dallas Renegades draft pick Ryan Broyles has retired from football. The team will have the right of first refusal on Broyles if he would decide to return to football and play in the XFL.
Former Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles has retired and will not be joining the Dallas Renegades, per a team spokesman. The Renegades have the right of first refusal on Broyles if he decides he wants to play.
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) December 5, 2019
He was going to have tough competition with a deep Renegades receiving core, but was going to be looked at as the veteran presence on offense to help groom some of the younger receivers on the team. His chemistry with quarterback Landry Jones and relationship with head coach Bob Stoops from their time with OU was going to be seen as a strength for them when he was drafted.
Broyles was drafted by the Renegades in Phase Five of the XFL Draft back in October where he was expected to team up with Jones after he helped Broyles earn two All-American honors in 2010 and 2011.
The 31-year-old receiver was a former second round pick of the Detroit Lions who played just three seasons with his last season playing football back in 2014.