Offensive tackle Anthony Davis on Saturday thanked the 49ers for giving him the opportunity to play in the NFL.
The 49ers traded up two spots in the first round of the 2010 draft to select Davis with the No. 11 overall pick.
Davis was the first offensive tackle the 49ers had chosen in the top 20 of the draft since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger.
Davis tweeted his appreciation to the 49ers, including CEO Jed York:
"I appreciate the 49ers for letting me live out one of my dreams and giving me a head start on Life. Thanks @JedYork"
Davis was just 20 years old when he declared for the draft following his junior year at Rutgers. During the draft process, Davis was criticized for being lazy and lacking a commitment. Immediately after the 49ers selected him, Davis addressed those concerns.
"I love this game," Davis told reporters who cover the 49ers in April 2010 on a conference call. "We'll see. Everybody with negative things to say, I really don't pay too much attention to it. They'll see a guy who's ready to work, ready to learn, make himself the best tackle he can be."
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Davis started every game in his first four NFL seasons at right tackle, a 72-game stretch that included eight playoff games. After an injury-plagued 2014 season, including missing four games with a concussion, Davis announced his retirement in June 2015.
Davis returned to the 49ers for the beginning of training camp but was unable to win the starting job at right tackle from second-year player Trent Brown. Davis was diagnosed with a concussion after a practice on Thursday, Sept. 15. He did not travel with his teammates to games at Carolina and Seattle.
On Monday, he met with 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and informed the 49ers he would retire. Davis explained his decision on Twitter:
" I just want my time and mind intact, when you lose em both, you can't buy em back."
