Percy Harvin Retires: Latest Comments and Reaction

After seven NFL seasons, mercurial Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin retired from football on Thursday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed the report. 

Harvin was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings before stints with the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets. The Bills signed him this past offseason, but the move didn't work out as well as both parties hoped.

The 27-year-old wideout was a key part of the Buffalo offense early in the 2015 campaign, as he made 19 receptions for 218 yards and one touchdown in the season's first five games, but he was then slowed by an injury.

After missing the team's Week 6 game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a hip ailment, Harvin did not make the trip to London to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7. While it was partially injury-related, head coach Rex Ryan claimed he did not fly with the team because of "personal reasons," per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.

Following Ryan's comments, reports began to pop up regarding Harvin giving consideration to retiring because of his hip. Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News was the first to come forth with the revelation.

As pointed out by NFL Network's Albert Breer, Harvin's hip dogged him ever since he entered the NFL as a standout from the University of Florida.

In addition to the hip issue, Harvin also developed a knee injury, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

Despite the mounting injuries, Schefter reported that the former Pro Bowler was not considering retirement, although he was frustrated by his inability to remain healthy.

When it came time to make a decision on his future, though, Harvin opted to step away from the game that he dominated for fleeting moments during his collegiate and professional career.

Harvin was once among the most explosive and exciting players in the sport, but he was dogged by myriad injuries over the years.

Football tends to age players because of the amount of punishment they incur, but a wide receiver stepping away from the game at just 27 is still eye-opening.

Harvin had the potential to be a superstar, and there is no question that he enjoyed some great moments on the gridiron.

He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2009 for his amazing return skills. He put up over 1,300 yards from scrimmage, made 87 receptions and scored nine total touchdowns for the Vikes in 2011.

Harvin even dominated on the biggest stage of them all by returning a kick for a touchdown while with the Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl XLVIII win over the Denver Broncos.

Although Harvin never quite became as good as many expected, he certainly left his mark on the NFL, and he accomplished more in seven seasons than most ever have in the sport of football.

The Bills don't have much in the way of depth at wide receiver, but Sammy Watkins can certainly offer some stability sans Harvin. During his second pro season, Watkins erupted for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns as he emerged as one of the NFL's most dynamic vertical threats. 

But with Harvin out of the picture, Buffalo will need to consider adding additional wideouts later this month at the NFL draft. Other than Watkins, no other Bills receiver topped 600 yards or three receiving touchdowns last season as the likes of Robert Woods and tight end Charles Clay served merely ancillary pass-catchers. 

And with Watkins sure to draw the lion's share of secondaries' attention this season, the Bills should be intent on bolstering their stockpile of receivers as a way to take the heat off their most explosive playmaker. 

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