One of the Buffalo Bills’ best underdog stories in recent memory officially retires from the NFL after an underrated career
One of the brightest success stories and underdogs of the Sean McDermott years with the Buffalo Bills has called it a career.
The book has been closed between the Buffalo Bills and cornerback Levi Wallace for years. But now, one of the best underdog success stories of recent memory in Buffalo is turning the page on his NFL career altogether.
Wallace, an undrafted rookie out of Alabama back in 2018, forged himself a memorable NFL career. And it all started in Buffalo. It was there Wallace earned the trust of former head coach Sean McDermott as a rookie. He’d go on to serve as a three-year full-time starter. And after never really finding the same success elsewhere as he did with the Bills? Wallace announced his retirement from the NFL on social media on Friday.
Former Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace is retiring from the NFL
Wallace’s tenure in Buffalo certainly ended on a sour note. I’m sure not many need be reminded of Buffalo’s trip to Arrowhead in the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs in early 2022. The infamous ’13 seconds’ debacle. It was a heartbreaking defeat, and one that unfortunately drew plenty of attention towards Wallace — who was present in coverage for a few critical plays late in the game. Time has since shifted plenty more of the focus and blame of the end-game sequence to former head coach Sean McDermott. But nevertheless, an anti-climatic ending to a great story.
It would be the last time Wallace suited up for the Bills. He signed in Pittsburgh with the Steelers months later and played two years there before playing with the Denver Broncos in 2024. Wallace’s attempt to play in 2025 was foiled by injury and he has now officially hung up the cleats.
These are the best stories in the NFL. Overlooked. Counted out. Only to find the perfect scheme with the perfect situation to become a success story. Wallace certainly was that: 96 career games played, 72 starts, and 12 career interceptions later. And now he’ll ride off into the sunset, with hopefully plenty more memories left behind for Bills fans than just the last one. Fonder ones are there to be had.
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