Forever A Patriot: Vince Wilfork Ends Career In New England

FOXBOROUGH, MA — For Vince Wilfork, the days of hot summer training camps, 4 a.m. workouts, and late nights studying game film are over.

With the televisions across the Optum Field Lounge inside Gillette Stadium celebrating Wilfork’s homecoming and his former teammates and coaches watching, the man who spent 11 years on the New England defensive line held his retirement press conference Tuesday afternoon. Wilfork spent a total of 13 seasons in the NFL, playing his last two for the Houston Texans. He first announced his retirement in a video posted to Twitter earlier this week.

Appropriately enough, Wilfork’s final game took place in Foxborough - a playoff game against New England. Considered to be forever a member of the team, Wilfork signed a ceremonial contract, officially retiring as a member of the Patriots.

“I'm calling it quits from a game I truly love. A game I was committed to. A game I was dedicate to. A game I gave it all to,” Wilfork said.

Wilfork cited mental fatigue as the reason for his retirement, iterating that he believes that he could physically play as long as he wanted to.

“You don't get younger and over time it took a toll. I never shied away from the grind. I never shied away from nobody. There was never a match-up I thought I couldn't win. I believed I was the baddest person in the field at all times,” he said.

Wilfork was drafted to the Patriots in 2004 out of the University of Miami. Projected to be a top-10 pick, both team owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick recalled their surprise when they realized they could get him with the 21st pick.

“My first exposure to Vince was at the Indianapolis combine. We sat in that hotel room and interviewed him for about 20 minutes. When he came in, the first thing I said was ‘this is a waste of time. There's no way he's going to be there when we pick.’ When we were able to select him with that pick, that was really in my career, one of the real surprises I've been a part of,” Belichick said.

Wilfork called his two Super Bown championships his proudest achievement. As an individual, he was named to five Pro Bowl teams and earned 559 tackles, recovered 12 fumbles, and picked up 16 sacks.

“My resume wouldn't have been what it was without New England. This is home. All the memories, my career, wouldn't be without the Patriots”, Wilfork said.

As for what awaits Wilfork now that he’s retired? He said after 20 years of schedules and structure, he said he has no concrete plans and is going to do what he wants.

Image Credit: Dan Libon