Cesar Tordesillas

The Baltimore Ravens sent receiver Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round draft choice.

Boldin was stunned when he received texts congratulating him on the trade to the 49ers when he got off the plane on Africa while on a charity mission.

He later realized it was a good thing with the talent that the Niners have.

The Ravens had reportedly asked Boldin, scheduled to earn $6 million in the coming season, to take a pay cut to help the team with its salary-cap situation. He carries a $7.531 million salary-cap figure.

But Boldin was unwilling to slash his salary in order to stay with the team, based on principles.

"At no point, no matter how well I played, would I come back to the table and say, 'I need more money.' The contract that I signed was the contract that I intended to play out," he told USA Today.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco reacted with disappointment when he learned of the trade Monday.

"Anquan was a great receiver for myself and for our football team," said Flacco."It's sad to see a guy like that go, but at the same time you want what's best for him and you just wish him the best of luck."

Boldin's potential new quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, was excited by the trade when he spoke with ESPN.

"Having a playmaker like that at receiver is something you always want. It's another weapon for our offense and our team," he said.

Kaepernick added that he thought the Niners had a steal in the Boldin trade.

"I don't think you're going to find anybody in the sixth round to come in and play better than what he's doing right now," he said.

In the playoffs, Boldin caught 22 passes for 380 yards receiving (95 yards per game) and four touchdowns. He has led Baltimore in receiving yards in each of the past three seasons.

Baltimore Ravens Trade Anquan Boldin to San Francisco 49ers - NFL 2013