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Bills Rookie Cut Before Season Retires to Join Military Service

Former Notre Dame linebacker waived by the Buffalo Bills on Monday, looks  for next opportunity - A to Z Sports

Buffalo, NY – The NFL represents the ultimate dream for countless young athletes, but for one Buffalo Bills rookie, that dream has transformed into a calling far greater than football.

Just weeks after battling through his first NFL training camp, Bills rookie linebacker Shayne Simon has announced his retirement from football — and his decision to join the U.S. military.

Simon, 24, signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh in the 2025 offseason. Known for his intelligence, leadership, and physicality on special teams, he turned heads in OTAs and minicamp. But when final roster cuts arrived in late August, Simon found himself among those waived — a tough break in Buffalo’s deep linebacker room.

Instead of waiting for another chance in the league, Simon chose a different path.

“Football has always been my passion, but service is my purpose,” Simon said in a statement. “I dreamed of wearing an NFL jersey, and I did that. Now, I’m putting on a different uniform — one that stands for something bigger than me.”

At 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, Simon was a former four-star recruit who spent time at Notre Dame before transferring to Pitt, where he became a team captain and emotional leader. His blend of athleticism and character made him a favorite in the Bills’ locker room throughout camp.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott expressed pride in Simon’s choice:

“Shayne’s decision shows the kind of man he is. We talk about ‘Bills DNA’ — toughness, discipline, sacrifice — and he embodies that better than anyone.”

Bills fans quickly took to social media with messages of respect and gratitude, rallying around the hashtag #SimonStrong, calling his decision “the definition of real courage.”

For Buffalo, Simon’s story is bigger than football — a reminder that while players chase glory on the field, some find an even greater purpose off it.

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