Former Bills safety Aaron Williams retires

After sitting out the entire 2017 season, former Buffalo Bills safety Aaron Williams announced his retirement from professional football Wednesday in an open letter published by The Player's Tribune.

The letter, entitled "To Buffalo," begins with an apology from Williams to Bills fans for not taking his role seriously during his first two years in the league, and explains how he later grew to appreciate playing in Buffalo before he suffered a serious neck injury against the Miami Dolphins in 2016.

"I've been thinking a lot about those two years lately, because today, I'm officially retiring from the NFL. And those two years … man, I wouldn’t say I wasted them, but … I guess I kind of did. And that hurts now more than ever because I honestly wish I could have those years back - to do over, to do things the right way," Williams said.

"Especially now that the game has basically been taken away from me."

Williams was released by the Bills in March 2017, and finishes his career with 59 games played, 184 tackles, and seven interceptions.