FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Longtime New England Patriots middle David Andrews mentioned Monday that he retired from the NFL after 10 seasons as a result of he solely needed to play for one workforce.
“I did not wish to go do it for one more group. That wasn’t what I had in thoughts to complete my profession. I needed to complete it right here and I did,” he mentioned.
Andrews gained two Tremendous Bowl championships in New England after becoming a member of the workforce as undrafted free agent out of the College of Georgia in 2015 and was named a captain in his closing eight seasons. He was launched in March with a failed bodily designation after being restricted to 4 video games in 2024 as a result of a big shoulder harm that required surgical procedure.
The 32-year-old Andrews overflowed with emotion throughout a retirement ceremony hosted by the workforce at Gillette Stadium on Monday. Proprietor Robert Kraft, who earlier within the day had attended memorial providers for Colts proprietor Jim Irsay in Indianapolis, launched him after a tribute video from former teammates, together with Tom Brady, performed on the videoboard.
When Andrews first arrived on the interview dais, he talked about that he wrote his speech down as a result of he was involved he would not make it via with out breaking down. Then he stopped to gather himself as tears flowed.
“As you’ll be able to see, there’s quite a lot of feelings,” he mentioned. “The one which stored protruding to me was gratitude. After I look again on the 26 years I have been blessed to play this recreation, that is actually all I might take into consideration. Particularly enjoying O-line since I used to be 6 years outdated, you study in a short time that it is not about you, it is in regards to the workforce. For my complete profession, I have been surrounded by the very best workforce anybody might ask for. So as we speak, I might like to indicate my gratitude to those that sacrificed and helped me.”
Andrews’ mother and father Jeff and Patricia, his spouse Mackenzie, sons Ford and Price, and brokers Wealthy Rosa and Noel LaMontagne watched from the entrance row. A number of present Patriots gamers, together with quarterback Drake Maye, additionally attended, as did head coach Mike Vrabel.
Andrews, who grew up in Johns Creek, Georgia and is the nephew of late NFL coach Dan Reeves, mentioned his household is settling in New England full-time. Previously, he has expressed curiosity in turning into a scout or coach, however for now plans to dedicate nearly all of his time to his household and enjoying golf.
Of the position of soccer in his life, Andrews mentioned: “This recreation has given me a lot. I’ve met some superb individuals. Been locations I’ve by no means imaged and executed issues I’ve by no means dreamed of. You’ve got taught me a lot about myself, whereas attending to play a baby’s recreation and name it a job … there isn’t any higher instructor of the sport of life than soccer.”