ALLEN PARK -- Anquan Boldin spent just one of his 14 NFL seasons in Detroit. He caught just 67 of his 1,076 passes here, and gained just 584 of his 13,779 yards here.
For one of the best receivers in the history of this sport, Boldin's stop in Detroit was little more than a layover on his way to the Hall of Fame. But in that year, it was easy to see why he became one of the greatest ever.
One of the best stories to leak out of the locker room in the wake of Boldin's sudden retirement came from Golden Tate. He recalled the Cowboys game last year, when Detroit flew to Dallas for a showdown with the NFL's best team on Monday Night Football -- and a playoff berth at stake.
Big, big stuff.
Problem is, Boldin broke his finger shortly before halftime. He had blood dripping from his glove and everything.
"He left, went into the locker room for a couple series -- then just came back out and continued to play," Tate said. "He had some key catches in that game for us too. I remember seeing his glove drip of blood. He went in, found a way, came back out and found a way to help us. That just speaks on who he is."
Boldin wasn't able to use the hand in practice the following week, but that didn't stop him from practicing anyway. He just caught the ball with his right hand. And in the next game -- a Sunday night battle with Green Bay for the division title -- he snagged four passes for 57 yards and the final touchdown of his career.
"I remember being in college and modeling my game after him," Tate said. "I loved how strong his hands were, or are. Whenever there was a moment to make a play, he's going to be the guy who makes a play. When you imagine what a pro looks like, you see Anquan."
Boldin's durability was remarkable. In 14 seasons, he never played fewer than 10 games. Even after he turned 30, he missed just five games in seven seasons.
Put it another way: Calvin Johnson retired at age 30 because his body was breaking down. After Boldin turned 30, he played in 107 of a possible 112 games and caught another 490 passes for 6,259 yards and 38 touchdowns.
In his final season with Detroit, Boldin posted a career low of 584 yards. But he also led the team with eight touchdown catches, and was seventh in the league with 20 third-down catches that moved the chains.
Tate was a more productive player. But when Matthew Stafford needed a clutch play, he looked to Boldin more than anybody, a remarkable feat for the 36-year-old.
"I think anytime you can play in this league for that many years, and be that productive for so many years, and to be able to look in the mirror and say, 'You know what? I feel like my playing days are over, and I can have a bigger impact doing something else,' -- to have that freedom to walk away is huge," Lions safety Glover Quin said. "So I tip my hat to him."
Boldin had originally signed on to play a 15th season, this one in Buffalo, but decided to walk away 13 days later. He cited his humanitarian work, which has grown in recent years, including a couple trips to Washington D.C. when he was with Detroit.
He spoke with officals in particular about police brutality, an issue that became personal to him after his cousin, Corey Jones, was killed in 2015 by a police officer in street clothes. Jones' car had broken down on a Florida highway, and he was waiting for assistance.
"Football has afforded me a platform throughout my career to have a greater impact on my humanitarian work, and at this time, I feel drawn to make the larger fight for human rights a priority," Boldin said in a statement announcing his retirement. "My life's purpose is bigger than football."
Boldin had involved other Lions, including Quin and defensive back Johnson Bademosi, in his trip to Washington D.C. They served together on a race relations panel during Super Bowl week in Houston, and hope to return to Capitol Hill for more meetings.
"You definitely have to admire he's transitioning from something he loves, and the passion he has for football, to something that's even a bigger cause," Tate said. "That just speaks on the type of man he is. He's a high-character guy that used his platform he has now to help others, and to help our future.
The NFL encourages players to stay out of politics, but Boldin always had the full-throated support of coach Jim Caldwell to pursue such endeavors.
"He's not necessarily a guy that's in front of the media often, but one of the true great gentleman and outstanding performers in our league," Caldwell said. "Just a quality, quality guy.
"(He's one of those) guys that take action and make a difference in your community, who doesn't just showboat but is focused in on trying to find ways to make a positive change. He went to Washington D.C. last year and he's had a group that he's taken young children over to Africa teaching educational lessons along the way, he and his wife, through his foundation. So I know he's on the road to do some great things, and real gentleman. One of the best in the business."