Former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin did not start his football career as a wideout. Rather, he was recruited as a quarterback. But the school Boldin attended, Florida State, already had a starting quarterback in Chris Weinke.
Boldin approached former Seminoles head coach Bobby Bowden about playing a position change, requesting to move to safety. But Bowden understood Boldin was too talented not have the ball in his hands, so he gave him a choice: running back or wide receiver (via Jess Root of USA TODAY):
He approached head coach Bobby Bowden about a position change.
“I just want to get on the field,” Bolden recalled saying. “I don’t care what position I have to play.”
Boldin played safety in high school in addition to quarterback and suggested that he move to safety. Bowden would not allow it, as he wanted Boldin to be able to have the ball in his hands. He gave Boldin the choice between running back and receiver. Boldin chose receiver and the rest is history.
Suffice to say, Boldin’s decision to play receiver worked out quite well.
Boldin–who retired following the 2016 season–played 14 years in the NFL, finishing his career with close to 1,100 receptions and nearly 14,000 receiving yards. He ranks 14th all-time in receiving yards and ninth in receptions.
The three-time Pro Bowler did his best work in Arizona, where he and Larry Fitzgerald formed one of the best-receiving duos in the NFL for the better part of the 2000s.
Boldin spent seven years with the Cardinals. He ranks fifth in team history in touchdown catches, also ranking fourth in receiving yards and second in receptions.